[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6163759,"mediaKeyId","5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f","parentId",5432647,"title","Resident questions $36,000 transfer from mayor's budget to council account during public comment","audioSeconds",513,"startMs",2227000,"endMs",2740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f&start=2227&end=2740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f/thumbnail_2227000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6163759/Meridian/Lauderdale-County/Mississippi/Resident-questions-36000-transfer-from-mayors-budget-to-council-account-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163759-42f99857b36c3164a6ee30f29fda35e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039654&Signature=b8lCY0Q1yY4wzKfWOIIs8IPWCS60Zdt9rtE-3x8rI4Lon7OZzOwwrgY6Vs3QBvIaNEDqpK~RoiQZ5PwqrpnQQZ0brCNfNQl4fF60TctRrpMwL~Sk2Gd1lNvYtHAp8Prbcvqip2~xp4A7Bh56urVPKjnhx2Ejd5VcWUSOuJhIrKCEorckp1C78Z7gpigdzgRWkI43DRedItgc4JtNN-PVH92JNsWB9lKb4iI1b~nDr6Jd67jXCMsGz8mSCZYnBzs3pbx9LzL7O0nJHwgHbN9GrMaOrbd~EgA7O090LnIDT0jAzqC~RCfhWNsrXvTmtbESW7ccoIAJ5skhkYwRqe-cXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Meridian","date","2025-07-18T00:00:00Z","article","Shirley Bolden Goodwin used the citizen‑comment period to tell the Meridian City Council she wants an explanation for a $36,000 transfer she said moved funds from the mayor’s budget to a council‑controlled \"legislator\" account.

\"I would like to know the reason why $36,000 was taken from the mayor budget and add to the legislator, which is controlled by the council,\" Bolden Goodwin told the council. She said the transfer appeared on the consent agenda and urged council members to ask the city attorney for legal advice. \"Don't sit up there and go along,\" she said, urging council members not to follow what she called a petty approach.

Allegations in public comment: Bolden Goodwin also asserted that the transfer was intended to stop the mayor from hiring a part‑time employee and said the money was taken from the wrong account (\"professional service\" rather than \"personnel\"). Those claims were presented as public comment and allegation; the transcript does not record any staff or council response, correction or formal inquiry during the meeting.

No formal action recorded: The transcript shows Bolden Goodwin finished her remarks during the public comment period and no vote, referral, or city attorney explanation is recorded in the spoken record for that meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Meridian City Council Meeting 07/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment a resident alleged the council moved $36,000 from the mayor's budget to a council-controlled \"legislator\" account and urged council members to ask the city attorney for an explanation; the claim was presented as an allegation and no council action or response is recorded in the transcript.","taxTitle","Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi","taxId",55952,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163764,"Council approves payment of $187,814.30 invoice to Lane Line LLC for striping work",418,1456000,1874000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f&start=1456&end=1874","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f/thumbnail_1456000.jpg","/articles/6163764/Meridian/Lauderdale-County/Mississippi/Council-approves-payment-of-18781430-invoice-to-Lane-Line-LLC-for-striping-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163764-5d56b1788c670b378d67bdd7fee7895f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039654&Signature=UJ7DwDSvSkAG6XoK-z9l1fGbR4NWFFuQpcPlgiTzipDkUKwNZQyUtLHY9xdGtgSBRt~BB5naPiMXZV3ZXMv4I5si8hwoZMXccoNgqUnC36VJHzS-53IOlKweDpQxdM5ehfHwWN-PDnbgjlUooKdSTRBt5lp3cnztjF42va84V5FdVOaLysNlr1FITDnnjvap82pfKURkUl-nHpsUMBc-VHyQmOP-4pcCah~LlsQ1Eo2zLVYz8tdKRMyDO4sFR0y-ttTBGrTdtADA7A4moSmm8UchSQOlT2XsYpexHszOmJb~v4E7gTmkwOJguETcirkRcXUSKyK-dVppt0cjfyb8OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Meridian City Council approved an owner‑authorized demand payment of $187,814.30 to Lane Line LLC related to the city's striping program, council materials show.

City staff explained the circumstances to council: the city had a 12‑month term striping contract (bid number 24‑21) and ordered work before the term expired, but Lane Line invoiced the city after the term had ended. Under purchasing rules staff said they elected to \"activate this demand\" to pay the invoice, and that Lane Line honored the prices from the original term bid.

Funding and procurement: Staff said the charge will be paid from the city’s Internet sales tax fund. The staff presentation described the procurement step as consistent with purchasing‑law procedures for invoices arriving after a term bid’s expiration.

Vote: The council moved, seconded, and approved the payment by voice vote; the transcript records an \"Aye\" vote and no opposition.

Details not in transcript: The materials referenced an original term bid and an invoiced amount but did not provide line‑by‑line backup in the spoken record; the transcript records staff saying they had ordered the work before the term expired and that the company invoiced afterward.","Council approved an owner authorized demand to pay Lane Line LLC an invoice totalling $187,814.30 after the company invoiced the city after a term bid expired; staff said the payment will be made from the Internet sales tax fund and that the company honored term prices.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163769,"Council awards $2.18 million MDOT-funded contract to replace Grand Avenue Bridge",335,1311000,1646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f&start=1311&end=1646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f/thumbnail_1311000.jpg","/articles/6163769/Meridian/Lauderdale-County/Mississippi/Council-awards-218-million-MDOT-funded-contract-to-replace-Grand-Avenue-Bridge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163769-687f1701f5210cd01067e88e13cf3061/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039654&Signature=cEtz6EVMUnfTZnQD4yk1mIgpBZP1ZtFcxICWVLS85D9o4OA2wQRlISP2BDbukUDQ1RakR8O6vP7G0C4MUzGENP1RjdhUAyBZfEi1j3EgRgxXrpc7ZNKb2YTtyu0LN-DfJujkYjVRBu9KjDygCZrZR2b8lJ5figH-fm0V~i9GdWYaKWW5s1MAnknlSdJ52ZdgmomDI21v8SSeru2lc4OgDmWT9SZdEfmmPuSb9Qo9jyubD6HDdnqLvKOKUUAGk77GwQvNKp6EolUrqbSnlSsw-OmLz9Ka7MM6AgNcE7x8A7zoqlE-cEGVbNa0dXTPWQdztJjFdIUP5N9C4TObwFGq8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Meridian City Council voted to award a $2,182,349.99 contract to Chris Albritton Construction Company Inc. to replace the Grand Avenue Bridge and approaches, city staff said.

City engineering staff told the council that Engineering Plus designed the bridge and solicited bids; two bids were received and the lowest responsive bid was from Chris Albritton Construction. \"This is 100% funded by MDOT. It's through the ERBR, emergency road and bridge repair program,\" a city engineering official said.

Project details and timeline: Staff said the existing structure — built in 1959 and currently weight‑limited — carries more than 1,100 vehicles per day. The work is estimated to take about 120 working days. Staff said the notice to proceed will be issued after contract award and final signatures; work is expected to begin within a few weeks after that administrative step.

Funding and procurement: Staff said the project is within the MDOT grant amount and city funds are not expected to be required. The contract was identified as bid number 25‑27 in council materials.

Vote: The council moved, seconded and approved the award by voice vote; the transcript records the motion as carried with an \"Aye\" vote and no opposition.

Next steps: Contract execution and issuance of a notice to proceed were described as the immediate administrative steps after council approval.","The council approved a $2,182,349.99 contract to Chris Albritton Construction to replace the Grand Avenue Bridge; the project is 100% funded by the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Emergency Road and Bridge Repair program and is expected to take about 120 working days.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163774,"Council approves two hires for police real-time crime center; funding question raised",262,1073000,1335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f&start=1073&end=1335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f/thumbnail_1073000.jpg","/articles/6163774/Meridian/Lauderdale-County/Mississippi/Council-approves-two-hires-for-police-real-time-crime-center-funding-question-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163774-07c69a4598144fefe68e00d18a31eaf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039654&Signature=MBhZEYn2Z5h2lJiW-OkgdRCPfFSnyh7G6L9lPwN9VGxRquXmXc3OhCznm0TYwGG7o1G3xwvPMqQa9l4UJT24k~JXa5Q4oaHd6vmRAk0M8fq52FuLwuF~MnGXLmDRAKF3wfsM9VTaR4cWx4Jk6lHQcx-juWtjVKpb21InxKae~KoGTGDKlfjJ2dpplj4q2K9BWKEhKIDW0Nfnl13pwlMuGAuMw20nXmwew2eFXx3dgj3~6t2ZWW6w~W1mf53T0uLaylqBBiICmn5MRjDmYIfpAJvvjLSHyUGyuQwolBd9Id2Yx-Ihuh1BOYwc9vxa0CqNfp1V~JfSCRUBgzfRHpF9-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Meridian City Council voted unanimously to authorize two account clerk senior positions in the Police Department intended to staff the city's planned real-time crime center.

Police department staff told the council the positions will operate on rotating shifts to enable round‑the‑clock monitoring of city cameras. The positions were described as operators staffing the center; shifts will include 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. coverage and others to maintain 24/7 monitoring.

Councilwoman Walker raised a funding question during discussion, noting a $10,194 difference between the listed annual salary figure of $38,376 and a higher figure shown elsewhere in the materials (a range up to $45,308). \"Where will that come from?\" she asked. A police department staff member responded that the city has enough funds for the remainder of the current fiscal year and that the department will request the necessary personnel dollars in the 2026 budget.

Vote and implementation: The council moved and seconded the item and approved it by voice vote, recorded in the transcript as \"Aye\" with a 5‑0 outcome. Staff said they are scheduling training so the new hires will be \"plug and play\" when the real‑time crime center becomes operational.

Details: The materials presented to council included salary and fringe‑benefit estimates; the transcript does not record a hiring date or exact start date for the positions, only that training will be expedited so operators are ready when the center comes online.

Next steps: Hiring and training were discussed as immediate priorities ahead of the center's opening, and departmental staff indicated the positions will be included in next year's budget planning.","Meridian City Council unanimously approved two account clerk senior positions to staff a real-time crime center. Council members questioned a reported $10,194 funding gap for the current fiscal year; police staff said funds are available for the remainder of the year and that additional funds will be requested in the 2026 budget.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163779,"MWR asks Meridian council for $25,000 to sponsor Wings Over Meridian air show",111,917000,1028000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f&start=917&end=1028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5432647-8a10471ea54dd7aa90728feb59ffed5f/thumbnail_917000.jpg","/articles/6163779/Meridian/Lauderdale-County/Mississippi/MWR-asks-Meridian-council-for-25000-to-sponsor-Wings-Over-Meridian-air-show","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163779-6e3fed41b6b3a7a996822a678750e7be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771039654&Signature=kc~7EwyKzoOeq5AwcLpADBDYFqPAfeWpcSCaTSVS-hRRzVX07TeRsyEVYaJJr-WgHrbMkYgYNVs9UooZvSqXGa~Xmjz8Ii0po2Y-scJ~0eQr~aKo0hKZXlmZMAwV2Q2eZHJW1WwJZoJUvCUNqbkw1coqEECKCBOWiDnN~CpGM~zDLtgVm32gsrbHH9gme2mmeUQRuqwKF3JQsKppjfIkj3XgqHxkz76~P0OKSomFg06KYXv5YntrDxuU3Lrh4XbaHdFyL2luRESz8VpMPBvkcoXyo5rW3HlscZSeeuppS3GmziQrNRjxXEeWuhQQoogR~yUV2SlKy4UXJ3XECJ9Y0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Krilisha Janakis, a representative of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) at Naval Air Station Meridian, asked the Meridian City Council at the July 1 meeting to consider a $25,000 sponsorship for the Wings Over Meridian air show.

Janakis told the council the two-weekend event will include the Blue Angels, a slate of civilian acts and hotel stays for visiting teams, and that the organizers expect about 75,000 spectators over the two weekends. \"MWR stands for morale, welfare, and recreation,\" Janakis said. \"We support all of the programs on the base...anything that provides support for our military families and makes their life more enjoyable.\"

Why it matters: Janakis emphasized that money given to MWR will be reinvested into base programs — libraries, child services, aquatics, fitness centers and similar services — rather than only covering event costs. She framed the sponsorship as support for military families in Meridian and said the $25,000 is her specific ask of the council.

Details provided to the council: Janakis said the show will be staged over two weekends with a Friday-night event the week before, that the Blue Angels will stay in local hotels, and that funds will pay for civilian aerial acts and other event costs. She did not present a written sponsorship agreement or request that the council vote at the meeting, and no formal motion or vote on the sponsorship was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Next steps: The transcript contains no council action or commitment on the sponsorship request; Janakis concluded by inviting questions and thanking the council. The council did not take a recorded vote on this request during the meeting.","A representative of Morale, Welfare and Recreation at NAS Meridian requested a $25,000 city sponsorship for the Wings Over Meridian air show; no vote or commitment was recorded during the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident questions $36,000 transfer from mayor's budget to council account during public comment

Council approves payment of $187,814.30 invoice to Lane Line LLC for striping work

Council awards $2.18 million MDOT-funded contract to replace Grand Avenue Bridge

Council approves two hires for police real-time crime center; funding question raised

MWR asks Meridian council for $25,000 to sponsor Wings Over Meridian air show