By John Zippert,
Co-Publisher

This is a report of the Eutaw City Council regular meeting on January 27, 2026, and a Community Informational Meeting, the next day on January 28, 2026 also at Eutaw City Hall.
The January 27th meeting of the Eutaw City Council dealt with routine business. The Council approved a 020 Restaurant Retail Liquor License for Main Street Grill. Representatives of Main Street Grill were present and thanked the Council for its support.
The Eutaw City Council also agreed to approve payments for required training courses provided on on-line for the Mayor and Council members. The Council also approved a $200 registration fee for Councilwoman Carrie Logan to attend the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D. C. On March 16-18, 2026. Later in the meeting, the Council approved registration and travel expenses if other council members wanted to attend this NLC Conference.
The Eutaw City Council reappointed James Powell to the Eutaw Housing Board. They also approved payment of monthly bills.
Mayor Cockrell in his report recognized Julia Carter, the new Water Clerk, who will be handling billing and collection for the Water Department. The Mayor also explained he was working on steps to improve the conditions of the City Hall, tennis courts, National Guard Armory and Robert H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver School) and other City owned facilities so they could be fully utilized by city residents.
The January 28, 2026 Community Meeting, was one of several that the Mayor has set up around the city to provide information to residents, most of the City Council members also attended this meeting.
The first item on the agenda dealt with the operation of the Water Department. The Mayor asked anyone with complaints about the quality of water, coloration, or billing to contact him and the Water Department in City Hall to correct the problems. Payment plans can be developed for high water bills, caused by leaks. Insurance is also available, at moderate cost, to cover leaks on the resident’s side of the meters. Mayor Cockrell urged everyone to pay their water bills on time, to avoid late charges, and allow the system to operate properly.
The next agenda item concerned improving the community appearance by not littering and not putting furniture, appliances, electronic devices or other large materials by the side of the road. The Mayor said the City was arranging a schedule to pick up furniture and other large items.
Before placing any items, other than tree limbs and other organic yard waste, on the side of the road, contact City Hall and arrange for pick-up. A ‘Community Clean-up Day’ will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026 to help pick up litter and beautify the city.
The Mayor also advised that the Police Department would be enforcing ’Noise Ordinances’ which prohibit playing loud music, especially at night, when other residents and neighbors are asleep. The Mayor introduced Kendrick Howell, Chief of Police who said he was running a ‘community oriented police force’ with an open door policy and was ready to meet with citizens and businesses to improve public safety in the city.
The Mayor also mentioned his efforts to repair and improve major city owned buildings so that they could be fully utilized for activities to improve quality of life for residents. The next Community Meeting will be held February 11 at the Presbyterial Church Fellowship Hall.