Employees of the city of Senatobia won’t be receiving a pay increase next year.
After much deliberation and consideration, the Board of Aldermen approved a $9.6 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year at a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 9.
The budget passed by a narrow 3-2 vote after aldermen couldn’t agree on whether to gift an across the board 1.5% raise to all employees leaving the city with an estimated reserve of $20,995 at the end of next year.
“I would like to see more of a surplus,” Alderman Chris McConnell said moments before questioning the budgets for uniforms in the police and fire departments.
Alderman Kevin Dear made a motion to accept the 2026 budget with pay increases which received a second from Alderman Jeff Underwood. McConnell along with Aldermen Demetrius Garrett and Allen “Vashon” Tanksley killed the motion by voting against the proposal.
“I am saying no because the city has a lot that we need to do,” Garrett said. “Looking at the numbers, we have cut a little bit. I feel like there’s more we can cut and if we can’t find it…I am saying no to the raises.”
McConnell said the city needs to be fiscally responsible.
“A 1.5 percent raise is like giving them peanuts,” McConnell explained. “Twenty-two or 26 cents an hour would make me mad if somebody offered that as a raise.”
Alderman Dear cited an increase in employee health insurance as an incentive for the raises.
“Something is better than nothing,” Dear countered.
Deputy City Clerk Fran Johnson, who met with aldermen frequently the previous two months while preparing the budget, presented two other options for consideration. One of them included a zero-pay increase resulting in an estimated surplus of $131,000. Garrett, McConnell and Tanksley voted in favor of that proposal, while Dear and Underwood held their ground by offering “nay” votes.
Before the vote, Tanksley asked for ways to make more cuts – specifically in the Senatobia Police Department.
Prior to targeting money set aside for technology, professional services and special training, Tanksley illogically questioned why at least three resource categories in the police department couldn’t be slashed before Deputy Clerk Johnson pointed out they were designated exclusively for revenue which can’t be cut.
Interim Police Chief Blake Warren provided a detailed explanation of money set aside for special training.
“Every year, every single officer must have 24 credit hours of training in accordance with state law,” Warren responded.
Tanksley also questioned the department’s policy of allowing police officers to drive patrol vehicles home after a shift – an incentive put in place by city leaders years ago to recruit and retain officers.
“Does everyone get to drive a car home? I mean can we just limit that to K9 units, chief and assistant chief?” Tanksley said. “I think that will take a lot of wear and tear off cars.”
Interim Chief Warren explained SPD’s budget for vehicle maintenance has dropped the last two years.
“We typically replace squad cars every three to four years because of normal patrols throughout the city,” Warren responded. “The maximum we allow for a take home vehicle is 30 miles.”
Mayor Greg Graves interjected and stopped the discussion.
“It’s an argument for another day,” Graves said. “That policy has worked for us and our officers. We have a budget in place. Let’s move on.”
With the millage rate of 30.77 set to stay the same as last year, Senatobia will work with revenue of $9,602,352 in 2026. Most of that revenue – 79% – will come from sources other than taxes. Just over 19%, or $1,912,177 will be financed through an ad valorem tax levy.
Like any budget, a simple breakdown of expenditures reveals where taxpayer money is being spent.
A summary of Senatobia’s budget for 2026 includes:
• Police Department – $3,403,017
• Fire & Rescue Department – $2,031,130
• Finance and Administration (City Hall) - $794,602
• Waste Disposal Department – $569,736
• Judicial Department (City Court) – $254,691
• City attorney/prosecutor – $86,812
• Prisoner Care at Tate County Jail – $69,500
The budget officially takes effect Wednesday, Oct. 1.
