A bit of a flap has developed between the Simpson County Board of Supervisors and Howard Industries.
Representatives of Howard Industries seem to think they are holding all the cards in reference to the lease on the county property located in front of Simpson Academy on Highway 49. At best the county’s contact, Dick Yoder, doesn’t seem too concerned in that the county has made efforts to contact him many times over the years, and the company is still doing business the way Howard Industries wants to do business rather than discussing the issues with the county.
The initial lease for the property in 1999 was priced at $30,000 a year for a ten-year period. At the conclusion of that time, the rate went to $45,000 for the 2009 lease. The 2019-2020 lease was supposed to have been $52,965. Instead the company sent a check to the county for $45,000, apparently ignoring a cost of living increase that was supposed to have been added. The county also set an employment requirement that started at 150 employees and after ten years was to increase to 200, which was supposed to be the company’s goal of employment. The current employment is 85.
In another incident, the county wanted a piece of unused property for the storage of gravel and other materials, and Howard’s had expressed a desire for a reduction in rent cost as well as an exemption from manufacturing to allow for warehousing instead. This would most likely reduce the employment figure even further. The portion of the Howard’s property that the county wanted to use for storage is overgrown with broom sage and is not being maintained according to the lease agreement.
The county had returned the last rent payment to Howard’s because it was not the amount agreed on in the lease. A letter informing Howard’s that they were not property maintaining the property was also included.
From Howard’s perspective, it would be easy to assume that until a rent amount is determined the rent would remain the same. Regarding the employment figures agreed on in the lease, the numbers were projected in good faith but were not guaranteed. However, the county board says they have extended every tax exception they can but that they are willing to work with the company.
In other business, county workers through all departments were recognized for the roles they played during recent winter storms. The sheriff was recognized for helping get food to stranded motorists during the storm, as was Vowell’s Grocery of Mendenhall for opening and providing food.
Supervisors voted a pay raise for members in the road department who had met their probationary time. Supervisor Mitchell Chapman questioned, however, why one of them would be given a pay level at a supervisory grade. The road manager stated that this employee had earned it and should be compensated accordingly.
John Kilpatrick, county emergency management director, noted three accidents resulting in four deaths that had occurred the past week. One claimed one life on Highway 43, another two students who were killed in a traffic accident, and a third claimed one life on Highway 149.
He reported that from January 15 to February 15, 2021, the county’s emergency services had dealt with 1,234 emergency calls. Eight 911 calls came in with address given, and 23 fire calls were received. The ambulance service had 445 dispatched calls with 369 transported, 88 911 calls transported out of county, and in 247 of the 911 calls they had an average response time of 15 minutes and four seconds.
Sheriff Paul Mullins reported that the city of Mendenhall was losing water at the rate of 6,000 gallons per minute. As of Friday morning, 1,995 residences were without power.
The board voted to rent a soil stabilizer at the cost of $15,900 per month from Lyle Machinery.
The board approved an emergency declaration to allow for construction on the Star-Braxton Road. It will involve the relocation of water lines and cost $116,552.
The board approved Allen Law Firm in regard to their suit over valuation of property with Mississippi Hub.
The next scheduled meeting of the board is set for March 1, at 9 a.m.
