At the Simpson County Board of Supervisors regular meeting on December 4, they honored James Red Grantham of Harrisville for over 31 years of service to the county with the Road Department.
Charlie Welch, county IT Director, reported that he recently attended the Central MS Planning and Development meeting for developing safe streets and roads, which focused on significantly reducing and eliminating factors that cause injuries on the roadways. Welch said that in Simpson County the two major things identified at the meeting as causes of accidents and deaths were left turns and falling off roadway edges.
Welch said a grant opportunity is coming up with the US Department of Transportation for the highway administration. He said that CMPDD is gathering information and updating maps while in the visioning phase and that from February 2024 to April 2024 this information will be evaluated. Then grants will be awarded to different counties throughout the state to improve safety in the road system.
The board discussed further problem issues in the county. County Administrator Rhuel Dickinson also attended the meeting, and he highlighted the section of Highway 49 near the intersection by Zion Hill Road as one of the worst problems in the county because of the density of traffic in the area. He explained that there is very heavy traffic from the Road Department, school, Air South and other businesses. He added that this will be “way worse if the consolidated high school is built there at some point.” Dickinson said the frontage roads needed to be extended to assist with traffic flow. Sheriff Mullins also identified Highway 540 and the area near JJ’s and Bumpers.
The board heard proposals for collection agent contracts for Justice Court. The board is currently using MS Court Collections , which has been the county’s collection agent for the past 20 years, for a 20 percent flat flee. Tim Coleman appeared before the board to report that over the last 20 years they have collected over $6 million for Simpson County. Coleman presented the board with a four year term at 20 percent.
Southern Financial Systems submitted a proposal for 20 percent flat fee, and presented statistics on their success rates. Owner Kimberly Farrar explained that her company does everything that MS Court Collections does. She said all collection agencies send letters and make phone calls, but she pays for wage garnishments out of her pocket. She said this lets county collect even if the person has moved out of state or county., and her company absorbs the cost for filing garnishments. The board took the proposals under advisement.
Buddy Wolverton updated the board on state-aid and county projects. Bridge replacement projects on Shorter Road and Saratoga-Sharon Road are nearing completion and final inspection has been requested on competition of punch list items. The drain and surface project on Star-Braxton Road is currently awaiting final inspection. Bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects for Dry Creek Road, Peacock Road, and New Hope Road will be advertised in late December and January.
Sheriff Paul Mullins was approved to send dispatchers to upcoming training in December, and to pay National Sheriff’s Association dues. Mullins presented several personnel items which included two new hires for the jail and one for the MDOT trash detail.
Emergency Manager John Kilpatrick was approved to apply for the EMPG grant. Road manager Ben Warren was approved to make a new hire, and informed the board that the packer used by the road crew would be returned until the spring.
Citizens appeared before the board to request assistance on Woodrow Barnes Road with the road being hazardous due to being sunk in and a sharp drop off on the road edges. The board heard the request and agreed to help where they can on public roadways.
The board entered executive session to discuss litigation before adjourning the meeting.
