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The Simpson County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, September 15, 2026, handling a full agenda that included foster parent recruitment, road matters, county finances, fire protection, personnel and other county business.
Supervisor Mitchell Chatman opened the meeting with prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Foster Parents Needed in Simpson County
Roy Logan spoke passionately to the Board about the need for foster parents and encouraged Simpson County residents to consider opening their homes to children in need.
During the discussion, Sheriff Paul Mullins requested that his department be notified when a child is placed in a foster home within Simpson County.
“We need to work together,” Mullins said, stressing the importance of communication between agencies involved with children and foster families.
Citizen Seeks Help With Vehicle Registration
Charles Hayes appeared before the Board concerning difficulties he has experienced obtaining registration for his vehicle. The address involved is not in Hayes’ name, creating an issue with the registration process.
Supervisors explained that under state law, the Board did not have the authority to resolve the matter for him and suggested he seek legal assistance. Hayes told the Board that finances made hiring an attorney difficult.
He was provided with the name and telephone number for legal aid in hopes that assistance could be available.
Road Department
Road Manager Jeremy Bolton presented the Road Department report, including the county’s August maintenance report.
Personnel matters included promotions within the department. Bolton also presented a proposed purchase of a safety cage at a cost of $11,899.12.
The Board additionally considered a proposed contract for roadside spraying, estimated at approximately $120,000.
Emergency Management and Fire Protection
Emergency Management Director John Kilpatrick Sr. received permission to attend the Delta Council meeting October 10–14 at a cost of $400.
Kilpatrick also discussed fire ratings and the effect those ratings have on residents living outside the municipalities.
“At this time, the fire ratings of Magee and Mendenhall Fire Departments does not come into play with county residents,” Kilpatrick explained.
Kilpatrick said he is looking into the possibility of city-expanded fire district coverage, which could potentially benefit the fire ratings of county residents.
The discussion ties into other fire-related business handled by supervisors during the meeting.
The Board approved orders to distribute FY2027 County Fire Rebate Funds to the Magee and Mendenhall Volunteer Fire Departments for code enforcement. Each distribution was listed at $21,225.46. Checks will be held until the County Fire Coordinator verifies that the departments are in good standing.
The Board also approved distribution of the county’s one-seventh share of Fire Rebate Funds to the five rural volunteer fire departments, also totaling $21,225.46, subject to the same good-standing requirement.
County Administrator’s Report
County Administrator Charlie Welch presented a lengthy list of financial and administrative matters for Board consideration.
Among the largest items was approval of the September 15 Claims Docket totaling $812,229.79. Electronic VISA payment claims for the Board of Supervisors totaled $673.22, while the Sheriff’s amount was listed as $0.
The Board also authorized the completed August 2026 Claims Docket to become part of the official minutes and approved the county’s August financial reports.
Several Motorola APX1500 radios that had previously been removed from county inventory after an affidavit reported a radio as lost were added back to inventory. The radios were later located and restored to the county’s inventory records.
A $16,509 journal entry was approved to correct a coding error on a receipt transaction.
The Board approved Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents membership dues of $100 for Amanda Blakeney, along with $120 in membership dues for the Mississippi Association of Extension 4-H Agents.
Supervisors also approved an order to cancel outstanding checks more than one year old as of September 30, 2026.
MSU Extension Position
The Board authorized Mississippi State University Extension to begin the hiring process for the recently vacated ANR — Agriculture and Natural Resources — Extension Agent position serving Simpson County.
The county authorized $10,000 in salary support for the position. County documents noted that the money is already budgeted to fill an existing vacancy and does not create a new position.
Southern Paving Payments
The Board approved payments to Southern Paving associated with the 2025–2026 pre-level project.
Payment Number Two totaled $14,370.44, with an additional $9,370.44 retainage fee and $5,000 for mobilization listed in the county documents.
Circuit Court Salary Action
Supervisors approved an order from the Thirteenth Circuit Court District increasing Katelyn Berch’s salary to $76,800.
Simpson County is responsible for 25 percent, or $19,200, plus the county’s portion of benefits.
FY2027 Budget and Other Administrative Matters
The Board formally acknowledged that all county departments have received the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, along with expectations and guidelines for maintaining a prudent and fiscally responsible budget throughout the fiscal year.
The Board also acknowledged receipt of certified resolutions from the Town of D’Lo and Town of Braxton, setting their millage rates at 16 mills.
Supervisors acknowledged that certified mail had been sent August 5 to the owner of property at 122 Bryan Floyd Road concerning excessive trash blowing onto adjacent properties and into the county road right-of-way. As of September 9, the certified letter had been returned as undeliverable.
A letter from the Office of State Aid requesting signage on bridges was also acknowledged and entered into the Board minutes.
The administrator’s report also contained routine provisions for county purchases, travel expenses, claims and the immediate issuance of checks as applicable.
Upcoming Board Meetings
Charlie Welch’s report included reminders of several upcoming Board meetings:
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026
- Monday, October 5, 2026
- Friday, October 16, 2026
- Monday, November 2, 2026
- Friday, November 13, 2026
The county also noted that Veterans Day will be observed Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
The September 30 and October 5 dates are consistent with dates the county had previously announced.
With no other regular business, the Board adjourned to enter Executive Session.
The Simpson County Board of Supervisors is the county’s five-member governing body and ordinarily meets on the first Monday and the 15th of each month, with schedule changes or additional meetings as approved by the Board.
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