STARKVILLE – Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins appears interested in replacing the city’s contracted attorney, though he was less interested Tuesday in explaining why.
Moreover, he seems to be the only alderman who feels that way.
Perkins, who represents Ward 6, added an agenda item ahead of Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting to consider advertising for qualifications for professional legal services – effectively a request to shop for a new city attorney. Come Tuesday, however, he asked for that item to be removed, then declined to discuss the matter during the meeting.
When asked by The Dispatch why he placed the item on the agenda and later removed it, Perkins declined to elaborate, saying only, “we’ll see where we go from here.”
Berk Huskison, an attorney with Mitchell McNutt law firm, has served as the city’s contracted general counsel since January 2023 and was reappointed to the position in July. While Huskison’s reappointment did not include a specific duration of time, Mayor Lynn Spruill said he will remain as city attorney “until the board decides otherwise.”
In the past, contracts between the city and general counsel have been four year contracts that line up with the terms of the mayor and board. Spruill said a contract was not executed upon Huskison’s reappointment.
Huskison said he was not aware of any reason for the agenda item and had no discussions about it with Perkins prior to Tuesday’s meeting.
“I was surprised to see it (on the agenda), and I have an excellent working relationship with Vice Mayor Perkins, and I look forward to improving it going forward,” he told The Dispatch following Tuesday’s meeting. “… I’m glad we moved beyond it. … It’s an excellent board, and I look forward to going forward with them as long as they’ll have me.”
The agenda item followed a request Perkins made during the board’s March 3 meeting, when he asked City Clerk Joanna Mclaurin to provide all invoices and itemized documents related to the city’s legal services beginning with March billing.
In Tuesday’s agenda e-packet, Perkins also included a five-year budget worksheet, outlining legal expenses from the city’s general fund since Fiscal Year 2022.
Those expenses, including general services, litigation, advertising, filings and other legal costs, have fluctuated but remained within budget. Spending has trended downward since FY 2023, with $189,729 spent that year, $188,770 in FY 2024, $168,768 in FY 2025 and about $84,436 six months into FY 2026.
Mayor Lynn Spruill and other aldermen all said they had no insight into why Perkins added the shopping for a new attorney to Tuesday’s agenda or why he removed the item.
All board members expressed overt support for Huskison and said they have positive working relationships with him, with the exception of Perkins, who declined to comment and Ward 2 Alderwoman Sandra Sistrunk. But when asked if she had any interest in seeking new legal counsel, Sistrunk said, “I think the board’s action Tuesday night speaks to that.”
“I just hope the issue has been laid to rest,” Ward 1 Alderwoman Kim Moreland wrote in a text to The Dispatch on Wednesday. “I have the utmost confidence in our city attorney.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
