Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Friday, September 13, the Hattiesburg City Council voted 4-0 to approve a $163.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2025. “We are grateful to the Hattiesburg City Council for their work and collaboration in delivering another structurally balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2025,” said Mayor Toby Barker. “This budget maximizes the lean growth in revenue toward meeting...
CITY OF HATTIESBURG NEWS
Fire Station 1 Crews to be Temporarily Relocated During HVAC Installation
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Fire Station 1, located at 810 Main Street, will temporarily reassign its crews and equipment starting today as a new HVAC system is installed. The Hattiesburg City Council approved the $293,000 project on July 2, 2024. During this installation, the station’s two fire apparatuses, Ladder 1 and Engine 1, will be temporarily reassigned to ensure continued coverage...
Hattiesburg Dedicates Public Safety Complex in Honor of Former Mayor Johnny DuPree
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Mayor Toby Barker and City of Hattiesburg officials dedicated the Public Safety Complex in honor of former Mayor Johnny L. DuPree. The ceremony marked the renaming of the state-of-the-art facility, which first opened its doors on September 27, 2022, at the corner of Hall Avenue and Edwards Street. Johnny L. DuPree, who...
Hattiesburg Announces $1.5 Million Grant for Airport Taxiway Expansion
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Monday, August 19, 2024, Mayor Toby Barker announced a $1,574,496 grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund to improve an existing taxiway and to construct a new taxiway at Hattiesburg’s Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport. The project, which includes a $334,989 match from the city, will result in a total investment of $1,909,485....
Hattiesburg Mayors Offer Condolences for Longtime City Engineer, Director Bennie Sellers
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Bennie Sellers, who served as the City of Hattiesburg’s Director of Public Services and City Engineer for two decades. Sellers, who was appointed by Mayor Ed Morgan in 1990, played a pivotal role in shaping our city’s infrastructure until his retirement in 2010. Sellers’ tenure coincided with a period...
Mayor Announces Chief Communications Officer for the City of Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Mayor Toby Barker announced the appointment of John Austin Arender as the City of Hattiesburg’s chief communications officer. Arender has served as the city’s deputy communications officer since January. His former roles include working as director of video production at Noble Motive and media director of The Church at 4Points. He succeeds...
New Intersections on U.S. Highway 49 to Open July 16
Hattiesburg, Mississippi — As the Highway 49/Midtown MDA EDH grant project reaches its final phases, the City of Hattiesburg announces the opening of two new intersections on U.S. Highway 49 near Forrest General Hospital. The intersections and traffic signals at Camp Street and Adeline Street will be fully operational starting at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Beginning this...
Hattiesburg City Council Receives FY 2023 Financial Audit
Hattiesburg, Mississippi—On Friday, June 28, the Hattiesburg City Council held a special meeting to review the Fiscal Year 2023 audit by Topp, McWhorter, Harvey, PLLC. The council approved the audit with a 4-0 vote. This audit marks the ninth completed since 2017, with three conducted within the first 17 months of Mayor Toby Barker’s administration. Highlights from the audit include:...
Community Arts Center Named in Honor of Rebekah Stark Johnson
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Hattiesburg City Council approved renaming the Hattiesburg Community Arts Center to the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center. The building is located at 825 Main St in the former Hattiesburg American newspaper building. The Community Arts Center, established in 2019, serves as a hub for local artists. The 36,000 square foot...
Mayor Toby Barker Announces Judicial Appointments
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker announced the appointments of Brian R. Bledsoe for Municipal Court Judge Post 1, Gay Polk-Payton for Municipal Court Judge Post 2, and Mary Moore Conville for Municipal Court Judge Pro Tempore. Brian R. Bledsoe has served as a municipal judge since 2017 and has extensive experience including roles...
Hattiesburg Recognizes Historic Preservation Week
Hattiesburg, Mississippi — From May 20 to May 24, 2024, the City of Hattiesburg will recognize Historic Preservation Week. This week will feature daily events to honor and preserve the city’s rich historical heritage. Historic Preservation Week is an annual event that underscores the importance of protecting and maintaining historical sites. This year’s celebration will include activities designed to engage the community...
Hattiesburg Announces $2.2 Million Grant for Next Phase of Gordon’s Creek Development
Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Monday, May 13, 2024, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker announced a significant grant from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund (MOSTF) for $2,246,419 to continue the ambitious development of Gordon’s Creek into a key landmark for eco-tourism. This project enters its next phase with a total project budget of $3,046,419. This phase of the Gordon’s Creek project...