Sumrall

Sumrall Mayor Joel Lofton said maintaining the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) of Mississippi is a top priority for the 2025 legislative session.

“As a small town, this (PERS) is one of the benefits that help us be competitive when we go out and attempt to hire employees, whether they be clerical, such as town clerks or deputy clerks, law enforcement or fire or even public works employees,” Lofton said.

“Something that I’d love to see in this legislative session, and we saw a good bit last year, was continued discussion of funding for PERS and making sure that that system continues to serve the people who work for the state,” Lofton continued. 

Lofton also voiced support for supplemental pay for law enforcement, which could help small towns like Sumrall attract and retain officers. Last session, failed House Bill 745 would have provided all certified officers in Mississippi who’ve worked at least one year with an additional $600 a month in supplemental pay. 

“Even though we’ve increased law enforcement pay here over 15% in the last couple of years, it’s very difficult to draw people anywhere in our state into that field,” Lofton said. We’ve had openings now for almost two months here, and have received exactly zero applications.” 

“We’re finding that academy classes often are not filled to capacity, and of those who are in those classes, they’re already obligated to a job, so it’s very difficult to find officers out there now, and a supplemental pay bill through the legislature would help towns such as ours and other smaller towns who are trying to provide public safety for all their citizens,” Lofton continued. 

Lofton also said Sumrall has experienced explosive growth over the last two decades, raising housing costs for residents.

“ We’ve tried to work with government programs to help see that some of our citizens have access to grants or low–interest loans to help make their housing better. We have some residents here who, because of their age, they have come out of the workforce some years ago. They’re living on fixed incomes, and they need some basic improvements around their homes,” he said.

RHCJC staffers reached out to the mayor of Lumberton for this story. Their perspective will be added once they respond to our requests.

Your Voice Matters!

We’re reaching out to mayors across our 10-county area to learn about their priorities for the 2025 legislative session. This is an ongoing series, and we want to hear from you! If there’s a specific topic you’d like us to ask your elected officials about, email us at rhcjcnews.com.