The Indianola Board of Aldermen voted Monday night to hire two attorneys to serve the city in key roles, including a special counsel to represent Indianola in pending litigation and an acting city attorney.
The special called meeting saw the board approve the hiring of Cleveland attorney David Norquist as special counsel for litigation involving former city attorney Derek Hopson.
Hopson filed an appeal in Sunflower County Circuit Court last week, challenging the legality of his termination in June.
The motion to hire Norquist, made by Ward 2 Alderman Darrell Simpson and seconded by Ward 1 Alderman Gary Fratesi, passed with four votes in favor.
Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder declined to participate, stating, “I’m not doing anything.”
The board discussed the need for prompt legal action, noting that “the city must respond to the appeal within a set timeframe,” said Mayor Ken Featherstone.
In a separate action, the board hired Mack Arthur Turner of Greenville as acting city attorney, effective immediately. Turner, who currently serves as Indianola’s city prosecutor, will be paid $200 per hour with a $1,500 monthly retainer, under the same contract structure as former city attorney Kimberly Merchant.
Hopson had a similar contract.
The motion to hire Turner was made by Ward 3 Alderman Ruben Woods and seconded by Alderman Fratesi, passing by the same 4-0 margin, with Elder again abstaining.
During the meeting, Turner expressed willingness to continue serving as both city attorney and prosecutor, citing similar arrangements in other Mississippi municipalities.
“I believe it would be beneficial for this city. You would have one person who’s going to have the interests of the city,” Turner told the board.
The board acknowledged the need to eventually hire a permanent city attorney but agreed that Turner’s appointment as acting attorney was necessary to ensure continuity of legal services.
The board entered executive session following the attorney appointments to discuss additional legal matters, with Turner serving as board counsel.
