Public Service Commissioners to attend Holly Springs town hall meeting

Mar 5, 2025- The three Mississippi Public Service Commissioners are attending a town hall meeting in Holly Springs to address concerns and issues that customers are facing with the Holly Springs Utility Department.

The town hall meeting will take place on Friday, March 21 at the Marshall County Courtroom B (103 S Market St Ste A, Holly Springs, MS 38635) starting at 6 p.m. Commissioners will be present to listen to customer concerns, provide information, and answer questions.

“I’m extremely grateful for the support from my fellow Commissioners as we all share the unified commitment of ensuring that all Mississippians receive reliable and affordable utility services,” Chairman Chris Brown of the Northern District said. “This meeting is an opportunity for us all to hear directly from customers and work together to find solutions for those who are suffering.”

The Commissioners invite all Holly Springs Utility Department customers to attend the town hall meeting and share their experiences.

The Holly Springs Utility Department (HSUD) has faced significant challenges in recent years, leading to widespread customer dissatisfaction and state intervention. The primary issues include:

• Unreliable Power Supply: Residents have experienced frequent and prolonged power outages, exacerbated by events like the 2023 ice storm, which left some customers without electricity for up to 11 days.
• Maintenance Deficiencies: Persistent maintenance problems, such as overgrown vegetation near power lines and outdated infrastructure, have contributed to the unreliable service. 
• Financial and Administrative Issues: Investigations revealed financial mismanagement, including unreconciled accounts and delayed vendor payments. In August 2024, HSUD’s general manager reported approximately $1.6 million in checks being held due to accounting discrepancies. 
• Customer Complaints: There has been a significant increase in customer grievances, with complaints more than doubling from 909 in 2023 to 2,396 in 2024. 
• Regulatory Scrutiny: The Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) initiated an investigation into HSUD’s operations, citing inadequate service delivery. A hearing scheduled for January 7, 2025, was postponed due to legal actions by the city, delaying potential resolutions. 

These compounded issues have led to ongoing concerns about HSUD’s ability to provide reliable utility services to its customers.