The Simpson County Board of Supervisors met on February 5 and heard reports from Chris Richardson of Horne CPA on grants that are available to the county and his request to be contracted by the board to write those grant proposals for the county.
Richardson said he had discussed opportunities with the supervisors for grant writing that could help in multiple departments. He reported that a FEMA grant was available for firefighters’ assistance that would address the need for new turnout gear, jaws of life, and other equipment if awarded. He said that grants are also available through the Department of Justice that provide funds to help replace radios, body cameras, ballistics, and even vehicles.
The board discussed a Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks grant that would benefit the entire county with the installation of a boat ramp at the bridge on Highway 49. Richardson said several possibilities are available to bring recreational activities and other improvements to the county with help through grant funding.
Richardson presented the board with a proposal and spoke on his experience of moving grants forward, due to his time working with former Senator Thad Cochran for 20 years, and the relationships he has built. The board tabled the item to allow the board attorney to review the contract.
Road Manager Ben Warren explained that the Road Department is in “bad shape on trucks.” He got quotes on three three-quarter ton 2021 Chevrolet trucks for $25,000 each. The board approved the purchase of the trucks pending another quote. The existing trucks will continue to be used until they are unavailable, at which point they will be declared surplus and auctioned off.
Chancery Clerk Tim Gray appeared before the board with appointments to various county boards and commissions. For the Economic Development District, Fontaine McNair, Mallory Yelverton, Patrice Boykin and Kenny Lewis were appointed. Supervisors Danny Craft and Mitchell Chatman were appointed to the County Workforce Committee, and Chris Dunn was reappointed to the Co-Lin Board of Trustees. The Central MS Planning and Development District has three members who serve two-year terms. Pat Brown and Wayne Womack were appointed to the CMPDD, leaving a third position available.
The board approved Poplar Springs Water District members Howard Fewell, Eric Grantham, and Larry Jones. They also approved County Park Commission members Monroe Allen, R. D. Nelson, Pat Brown, and Douglas Eichwurtzle. For members of the South Central Regional Solid Waste Authority, Dale Berry, Tim Bray, Todd Booth, Arthur Walker, Red Lewis, Billy Smith, and Tim Gray were approved.
Josh Wigginton with Upchurch briefed the board on new service contracts and recent maintenance. Wiggington said parts were ordered to fix boilers at the jail, and they have a six-week lead time. The boilers are still operational currently, but doors to the boiler room are open to keep CO2 out of that space. He fielded questions on service agreement, and said they cover 12 county buildings that includes 4 maintenance checks a year. Two of those maintenance checks are technical inspections of the equipment. Wigginton agreed to provide the board with quarterly reports following the inspections.
Sheriff Paul Mullins was approved to hire a new dispatcher and three new employees at the jail.
Charlie Welch explained that he is waiting on close out documents for the courthouse, and the county will get back $14,000 in retainer fees. He spoke briefly on the road departments new process for digitally submitting work orders. Welch said the testing is going good thus far and believes the system will be ready to implement soon.
Executive Director of the South Central Community Action Agency, Sheletta Buckley, briefed the board on what SCCAA provides to the community. SCCAA provides utility assistance, weathering, meals, and transportation. They also provide rental and mortgage assistance for citizens in the county that qualify. Bukley shared that SCCAA provided over 9,000 meals to the community last year, and 4,179 community members were transported for various needs in the county. She said 1,009 needy clients received utility assistance and 1,862 elderly citizens received transportation. Buckley said the goal of SCCAA is to make as many recipients as possible self-sufficient. She plans to meet with the supervisors to discuss the needs of citizens in their districts.
The board entered executive session to discuss the MS Hub case before recessing the meeting.
