The hunt for a new police chief in Senatobia has taken an unexpected turn.
The Board of Aldermen reversed its previous decision to form a five-member committee to screen applicants for chief of police. City leaders have now decided they will conduct interviews of all candidates before hiring someone for the top police spot.
“We do the hiring and firing for the city so I don’t see why that should change,” said Alderman Allen “Vashon” Tanksley, who made the motion to ditch the committee which passed by a 4-0 vote. Alderman Kevin Dear was absent from the meeting Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Mayor Greg Graves recommended in August putting together a committee of five members including himself, Tate County Sheriff Luke Shepherd, Alderman Demetrius Garrett, city Director of Operations Stephen Hodges and Municipal Court Clerk Tameka Herron to screen and select the best candidates for the position. The top applicants would then be interviewed by the Board of Aldermen before a new chief is selected.
Alderman Tanksley was absent from that meeting Aug. 19 and did not receive an opportunity to vote on the motion to appoint a committee which all other aldermen endorsed. Three aldermen – Jeff Underwood, Chris McConnell and Demetrius Garrett – flipped from the original plan and sided with Tanksley’s latest motion.
Graves said the city received eight applications for the police chief position before the deadline Tuesday, Sept. 2. One of those applicants is current interim Chief Blake Warren who was promoted from deputy chief in July after aldermen chose not to reappoint Richard Chandler.
At the beginning of the meeting Tuesday, Sept. 2, no one spoke in favor or against the proposed ad valorem tax levy during a public hearing. Senatobia aldermen held several budget workshops to prepare for the 2026 fiscal year, which begins October 1, and elected to leave the millage rate at 30.70 for the second consecutive year.
Senatobia’s official budget for 2026 was set to be released Tuesday, Sept. 9. In accordance with Mississippi law, municipal and county budgets are required to be approved by officials by Sept. 15.
In other business, aldermen approved the following:
• Minutes from the regular mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Aug. 19.
• Minutes from the special mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Aug. 20.
• Minutes from the special mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting on Aug. 27.
• Docket of claims numbers 39852-40002 for a total of $1,569,542.24.
• Move part-time Senatobia-Tate County Animal Shelter employee Nathan Farrow to full-time position.
• Hire Sarah Smith as part-time animal shelter technician.
• Hire Bentavious Galmore as part-time certified firefighter with Senatobia Fire & Rescue.
• Hire Michael Putman as a part-time certified firefighter with Senatobia Fire & Rescue.
• Apply for 2025 MOSTF Grant for railroad trail project.
• Accept lowest and best quote from Addison Tree Care of $7,600.00 for removal of two trees.
• Mayor Greg Graves to sign agreement with Wells Fargo renewing copier lease.
