PEARL RIVER COUNTY, Miss.—As small towns across Mississippi prepare for the 2026 legislative session, leaders in Pearl River County say rising costs, aging infrastructure and workforce challenges are putting increasing strain on local governments.
This story is part of a Roy Howard Community Journalism Center reporting project examining what mayors and county supervisors across southeast Mississippi want from state lawmakers during the 2026 legislative session. The project includes county-by-county reporting and an interactive overview highlighting shared priorities, regional differences and policy challenges facing local governments.
Readers can explore the full project, including an interactive overview and reporting from all 10 counties, here.
In Pearl River County, those concerns are especially acute in smaller municipalities where limited budgets make it difficult to absorb new costs while keeping up with basic services, according to local leaders.
Rising Costs and Workforce Challenges
Poplarville Mayor Louise Smith said her biggest concern over the past year has been growing payouts and long-term debt tied to Mississippi’s Public Employees’ Retirement System. She said changes to the system, including the addition of a new tier, have made it harder for the city to compete when hiring first responders.
Smith said Poplarville has already seen challenges recruiting police officers as pay and benefits lag behind other communities.
“I’m really concerned because we have a difficult time now recruiting our policemen,” Smith said, noting that rising contribution rates could further strain the city’s budget.
Water, Sewer and Street Infrastructure
While Poplarville used American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase new water meters, Smith said the city’s broader water system remains outdated and in need of major repairs. Many of the city’s aging pipes run beneath Main Street, which she said complicates replacement efforts and could cause significant disruption for residents.
The city is seeking grant funding to begin fixing and replacing water lines as part of a long-term system upgrade.
Smith said Poplarville typically saves state funds to pay for larger infrastructure projects every two to three years, such as road repaving and pothole repairs. However, she said the city could face reduced Mississippi Infrastructure Maintenance Act funding if those funds are not used annually, limiting the number of projects that can be completed.
Parks, Housing and Downtown Improvements
Poplarville recently received a grant from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation in October 2025 to improve public park facilities, including gazebos, pavilions, picnic benches and park restrooms. Smith said the city’s walking trail also needs repairs, as tree roots have caused damage in several areas.
She said a local nonprofit group, Poplarville Pretty, is working to restore and refurbish downtown areas to make the city more appealing to visitors.
Housing is another growing concern. Smith said Poplarville is seeking funding to improve Section 8 housing as the population grows. While not all units are in poor condition, she said several areas need attention to ensure safe and adequate living conditions.
Mental Health and Small-town Pressures
Smith said she believes more funding should be devoted to mental health services across Mississippi, particularly for rural and small-town communities.
She also pointed to ongoing challenges that continue to stretch local resources, including broadband service complaints, sewer trench failures and delays in securing permission from the railroad to clean the city’s underpass.
Despite those hurdles, Smith said community involvement remains strong as Poplarville works to secure state support and plan for the future.
This story reflects responses from local leaders who were available to participate during the reporting period. Readers who would like to hear from city or county leaders not included here are encouraged to contact RHCJC News, and additional outreach will be made when possible.
This article is one of 10 county-level stories in the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s project examining local leaders’ priorities for the 2026 legislative session. The full interactive project is available here.
This article first appeared on RHCJC and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.