Southaven honors Mullins, amends Critical Event Policy

Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite with Mary Annette Mullins at the addition of Mike Mullins’ name to the City of Southaven Tribute Wall. (Mayor Musselwhite/Facebook)

Key Points

• Tribute Wall Induction: Former Parks and Recreation Director Mike Mullins was posthumously honored for his transformative impact on the city’s athletic facilities.
• Policy Overhaul: The Board of Aldermen replaced the “Inclement Weather Policy” with a broader “Critical Event Policy” to provide retroactive hazard pay for staff.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: The city moved forward with significant investments, including a $1.38 million police donation and a full-facility generator for public safety.

SOUTHAVEN — The legacy of the man who built Southaven into a youth sports mecca met the modern challenges of municipal management Tuesday night, as the Board of Aldermen honored a local icon before pivoting to address the fallout of recent historic winter storms.

Prior to the formal meeting, family and friends gathered at City Hall to witness the induction of the late Mike Mullins onto the city’s Tribute Wall. Mullins, the former Parks and Recreation Director who passed away in 2024, was remembered not just as an administrator, but as a “cornerstone” for generations of local athletes.

“He was a tough bird, a tough dude, but his cowboy, John Wayne shell covered a good heart,” said Mayor Darren Musselwhite, who played for Mullins in the 1970s. “He taught me physical and mental toughness and preparation that transcended sports with a standard I never abandoned.”

Redefining ‘Critical Events’

The spirit of “stepping up,” a trait Musselwhite attributed to Mullins, served as the bridge to the night’s primary legislative action. The Board voted unanimously to strike the decade-old “Inclement Weather Policy” from the employee handbook, replacing it with a more flexible Critical Event Policy.

The shift follows a brutal winter storm that paralyzed the city with a rare combination of ice and snow. Musselwhite noted that while public safety personnel operate on 24/7 shifts, utilities and public works crews—who often worked 18-hour shifts during the freeze—are typically bound by a standard 40-hour structure.

“We want to make an adjustment to this and phrase it the ‘Critical Event Policy’ because it’s more than just weather,” Musselwhite said, noting the policy allows for extra compensation during various emergencies. The Board further authorized the pay to be applied retroactively to reward employees for their efforts during the recent storm.

Public Safety and Utilities

In a significant boost to local law enforcement, the Board accepted a $1.38 million donation from MZX Tech LLC. The funds are earmarked exclusively for Southaven Police Department purchases.

The Board also authorized seeking bids for a comprehensive generator project at the police station. Unlike the current system, which only powers dispatch during outages, the new unit will provide electricity to the entire facility, ensuring 100 percent operational capacity during “critical events.”

Retirement of a ‘Team Player’

The meeting took another tone during the Mayor’s Report as Musselwhite announced the upcoming retirement of Utilities Director Ray Humphrey on Feb. 27.

Humphrey, who joined the city in 1986, was praised as the “ultimate team player.”

“Ray has truly been one of the hardest working people that we’ve ever had as a city,” Musselwhite said. “Whenever another department needs him… he’s there and he’s on it immediately.”

Other Board Actions:

• Sanitation: Approved a one-year contract extension with Waste Pro, running through April 2027.
• Fleet Upgrades: Authorized the purchase of a mobile command vehicle ($365,371) and five Dodge Rams ($194,860) for the police department.
• Stormwater Week: Passed a resolution designating April 13 through 17 as Stormwater Week as part of environmental permit outreach.