Brookhaven has been buzzing with remodeling projects and new construction in the past few years, while established businesses continue to thrive and grow.

Officials say now is the time to bring 16-year-old building codes up to date.

Building codes were on the table at the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen meeting earlier this week. “A bill was passed that says we have to go to the latest version of the code,” building inspector David Fearn said.

The new ordinance will endorse the 2015 international building, residential fire, plumbing, mechanical, fuel/gas, and swimming pool and SPA codes, as required by Mississippi Senate Bill 2378, he said. The bill was approved by Gov. Phil Bryant more than two years ago.

The state law excludes the requirement to have sprinkler systems installed in one- and two-family homes, which overrides that requirement in the 2015 code. “I want to update those codes from the 2003 version to one ordinance of the 2015 building code and also the 2014 national electrical code which are the latest ones out there,” Fearn said. The board approved his request and the codes will go into effect immediately for all current and establishing buildings.

In other board business:

• The Waste Pro Management team guaranteed that the garbage trucks would run as scheduled for the Christmas holidays. Trucks are limited to the weight of debris collected per home, so it may take more than one visit.

• The board approved the Brookhaven Police Department’s investigators uniform budget of up to $600.

• The board received the November 2016 Revenue and Expenditure report submitted by City Clerk Mike Jinks.

• The board reappointed James Tillman and Kenny Goza to the Brookhaven Housing Board for a five-year term.

• The board approved state holidays for 2017.