Simpson County resident Mike Dilmore appeared before the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 7 asking for relief from roaming dogs.
His wife, Lynn, 67, was attacked by six of the neighbors’ dogs on Jan. 24. Dilmore reported that his wife fell to the ground and was bitten twice.
Neighbor Kurt Hill came to aid Dilmore, but this was not the first time this has happened. Dilmore reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Scott Barnes came to the scene and talked to the dogs’ owner.
The real problem is that the county has no ordinances on the books to deal with stray dogs or problem animals. As it stands now, to get a something done, the plaintiff must take the owner of the animal to court. Many times the owners claim they don’t own the animal.
It was reported that the dogs involved no longer appear to be an issue. But the board instructed their attorney to research the issue of aggressive animals and see what needed to be done since this type of incident is not unusual. The Sheriff’s Department logged 193 animal complaint calls last year.
This was not the first time the Delormes have dealt with these dogs, having reported four other incidents to the Sheriff’s Department.
The board heard a report from Tony Wonce with the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District about re-aligning the county for supervisory districts as well as for justice court districts. The board was required to redistrict following the most recent data completed from last year’s census.
The goal of redistricting is to allow equal representation in all districts. Equal population numbers can be within 10 percent. The board approved the new redistricting maps.
The board heard a request from James Booth, a member of the newly appointed Simpson County School Bond Steering Committee. Booth requested that the county endorse the proposed $39 million school bond issue. The board did not act on the request and instead tabled the motion.
Dr. Dwayne Middleton and Robin Mitchell, both from CoLin appeared before the board to briefly discuss workforce development as well as other courses that are available through the Simpson County Center of CoLin. In addition to that program Middleton discussed the success of Truck Driving, Welding, Law Enforcement Training, the Police Academy and Advanced Emergency Medical Training programs offered through the school.
Jaime Reed ,Tax Assessor, discussed with the board about the break down in communication between the garbage disposal and the tax assessors office. The problem is if a garbage fee is delinquent over $35 a automobile tag is not supposed to be sold to that person. Reid reported there are 8,000 customers with as many as 2,000 delinquent and information is not being processed properly.
In other business the county has limited their exposure with the engineer if the bids come in to high they will not be obligated past $40,500 if construction is approved the engineer fees would be based on a percentage of the project cost.
The board committed to a ten foot diameter 48 foot long culvert at a cost of $19,197 compared to the last one purchases at $11,000 these are used as bridges on rural roads.
The board approved hiring Michael Higgins, Eric Edwards and Michael Fuller in the road department. Ben Warren, Road Manager told the board that they are putting down hot mix in holes as the temperature reaches 60 degrees.
The board approved fixed rate depository bids of Peoples and PriorityOne Banks for the upcoming year. Trustmark was approved for financing the lease purchase agreement of three tandem axle dump trucks in the amount of $588,000 each for one year.
The board approved hiring Ted Warren as the new solid waste manager.
The board reauthorized the jury fund for circuit court in the amount of $20,000 in addition replenishing another fund for circuit court in the amount of $8,219.53.
The board approved the burial of two dead horses.
The next scheduled meeting of the board will be Monday, March 7.
