At the recent recess meeting of the Simpson County Board of Supervisors, President Danny Craft called the session to order. The meeting began with an invocation by Johnny Sykes, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Attorney Danny Welch commenced the official business by presenting the 2024 homestead chargebacks, which had been submitted to the Mississippi Department of Revenue and were duly recorded in the minutes. Welch also noted that Justice Court Judge Brian Kennedy successfully completed his Judicial Mississippi College Program, with this accomplishment also entered into the record.
Circuit Clerk Witt Fortenberry addressed the board with an update on the county’s poll book system. He expressed concern that the current system is outdated and highlighted the benefits of an upgrade. Fortenberry explained that the new system would include a scanner to allow poll workers to scan voter identification, streamlining the check-in process.
He emphasized the urgency of the update, stating, “Of all of our equipment, the poll books are a dire need for the county.” The proposed upgrade, estimated at $63,000, would be partially funded by $45,000 in unused election funds earmarked for election system improvements. The board approved the upgrade.
Fortenberry also requested the board consider assisting with the delivery of voting equipment to precincts and plans to present a formal agreement for this in May.
Road Manager Jeremy Bolton requested that two items—asset number 1189, a 1997 Freightliner Day Cab Truck, and asset number 1208, a 1997 Aluminum Transfer Trailer—be declared surplus. The board approved, and both items will be listed in the Jeff Martin auction on May 16. Bolton reported an estimated cost of $15,084 to repair a guard rail on Old Pearl Road, per state aid recommendation, and received approval to proceed with the project.
He provided further updates on road projects, noting that pre-leveling is 70 percent complete and bridge approaches have been finalized on Old Pearl and Hopewell roads. He also announced the delayed delivery of an asphalt truck and the upcoming arrival of two 10-wheel dump trucks.
Supervisor Donny Welch stressed the need to proactively address road shoulder deterioration and asked Bolton to explore possible solutions.
Sheriff Paul Mullins received approval to send Deputy Rand Moore to the MASRO Conference in July.
Emergency Management Director John Kilpatrick reported a total of 692 emergency calls in the previous month and announced that the county’s volunteer program has initiated training related to NCIC and compatible systems. He also shared that collaboration with the Coalition of Christians group has begun to support emergency management volunteer efforts.
Kilpatrick praised Charlie Welch for completing GIS work for the county in-house, helping launch the county’s new mapping system.
Kilpatrick also discussed the development of a long-term recovery plan to assist residents in non-declared emergency situations. Under the proposed plan, a committee will be formed, and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) would oversee distribution of funds—up to $25,000 per household—for home repairs and materials. He used the recent storm in Mendenhall as an example of a situation where such aid could apply.
In response to a question from Supervisor Danny Craft about a recent blowout at the county’s salt dome, Kilpatrick confirmed the site is safe and that the blowout valve functioned as designed. He explained that although a valve failure occurred, the gas safely vented into the atmosphere and there was no danger to the public. The company has reported the incident to MEMA, as damages exceeding $150,000 qualify as a reportable event.
Supervisor Wayne Womack raised the issue of the county's outdated wildfire plan, which expired in 2013. He informed the board that CMPDD has agreed to revise the plan for $5,000, enabling the county to apply for grants potentially saving over $150,000. The board approved moving forward with the plan update.
Additional approvals during the meeting included advertisements in the Miss Hospitality program for Mendenhall Miss Hospitality Bella Broadhead and Magee Miss Hospitality Natalie Styron. The board also selected Trustmark Bank with a 4.31 percent rate to refinance a balloon note on a lease purchase of a 2021 Caterpillar excavator.
Charlie Welch provided a status update on the courthouse generator, which the board agreed to purchase.Board Attorney Danny Welch closed the public portion of the meeting with a positive update on Poplar Springs, which is in line to receive a grant for emergency loan fund assistance and an expansion of its well site. He noted that the district is showing signs of progress.
The board then entered executive session before adjourning the meeting.
