Utility easements continue to present problems for Simpson County when dealing with companies like AT&T.
At their last meeting, the Board of Supervisors expressed concern about how promptly vendors like AT&T answer requests when the county is expecting easement to provide services as simple as bushhogging.
The lack of proper installation of lines and cables was suggested as a reason that the company is not working with the county. It was stated that lines were not buried properly to standard and sometimes were not buried at all. The board indicated that until these vendors started responding in a proper and timely manner and dealt with previous problems, they would not allow additional easements.
The clock is running on some road projects,but the contractors have yet to begin, citing weather as their number one concern. Resurfacing projects were at the top of the delay list, which include Pine Grove Road, Waters Road, Golf Course Road and John Owens Road.
The bridge replacement project on Heed-Neely Road has been delayed because of lack of funding. The county opted instead to replace it with slurry seal projects at the west end of Airport Road for 2.9 miles and on Star Braxton Road for 2.1 miles.
The board held a public hearing for the move to add $1 to delinquent garbage bills. No one showed up for the meeting to object, and the board approved the delinquent fee. This would go into effect on October statements when bills from the first quarter would be delinquent.
Recent calamities which included two garbage trucks being struck by lightning and one truck having the electrical system burn out prompted the county to issue an emergency proclamation so they could purchase newer equipment to continue garbage services. This included the purchase of a garbage truck for $49,000 and $49,000 for the truck that burned. The board had hoped to be caught up on collections by Saturday, July 8.
The board approved the purchase of steel for the Waltman Bridge Road in the amount of $9,592.80 and $6,166.80 for the Harrisville Braxton bridge project.
The board was notified of the need to hire a public defender to serve in Justice Court; however, they took no action.
Tax assessor Charles Baldwin notified board members that there had been new valuations for property in the county. He said that businesses and residents would see an increase in their taxes because Mississippi Hub had reached the level of investment where they would get additional tax incentives in the form of a fee in lieu of taxes. While their valuation had increased, the amount of taxes would decrease based on the fee in lieu of taxes.
