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The Simpson County Board of Supervisors convened for a recessed meeting Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Simpson County Courthouse. Board President Wayne Womack called the meeting to order, followed by prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present for the meeting were Supervisors Mitchell Chatman, Danny Craft, Wayne Womack, Donny Welch and Charlie Westmoreland.
Chancery Clerk Tim Gray presented two items for inclusion in the official Board minutes. The first acknowledged proof of publication for the notice to contractors regarding sealed bids for the Athens Road reseal project. Bids for the 8.057-mile State Aid Project (SAP-64(22)S) are scheduled to be opened July 20.
Gray also presented proof of publication of the 2023 land taxes, as required by Mississippi law.
Dr. Dewayne Middleton, president of Copiah-Lincoln Community College, appeared before the Board to provide an update on the college’s continued growth and accomplishments.
Middleton reported that 272 students graduated from the Simpson County Center this year. He noted that only 28 percent of those graduates were from Mendenhall, despite Mendenhall High School being the largest school in the county. To address that disparity, Co-Lin plans to increase its recruiting and marketing efforts at Mendenhall High School during the upcoming school year.
Middleton also highlighted the success of Co-Lin athletics. The Lady Wolves captured the 2026 MACCC Championship for the third consecutive year, won the NJCAA Championship, and finished fifth in the NJCAA National Softball Tournament. The Wolves football team completed the 2025 season with an 8-2 record and claimed the MACCC South Division Championship.
Housing continues to be one of the college’s greatest needs. Middleton said there are currently 116 males and 57 females on the waiting list for campus housing at the Wesson campus.
The new LPN-to-RN program offered at the Simpson County Center has also proven successful, enrolling 28 students in its inaugural class.
“I am committed to the growth of Co-Lin,” Middleton told supervisors.
Simpson County taxpayer Byron Hosey addressed the Board regarding his dissatisfaction with the Simpson County Sheriff’s Department. Hosey expressed concern that young women in Simpson County are being mistreated and unfairly targeted by certain deputies.
Hosey stated that he was “speaking for his dead daughter,” whom he believed had been mistreated by the Sheriff’s Department.
Board President Wayne Womack explained that the Board of Supervisors has no authority over the Sheriff or the operation of the Sheriff’s Department. When Hosey asked what additional steps he could take, Womack suggested he contact the FBI, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, or the District Attorney’s Office.
Following public comments, Road Manager Jeremy Bolton presented the Road Department’s June maintenance report, which supervisors accepted.
Bolton recommended awarding the bid for the installation of double reflectors on roads scheduled for fog sealing. The Board approved the low bid of $8,445 submitted by Park Right Striping LLC.
Bolton also presented a request from a resident on J.T. Barnes Road seeking the installation of “No Thru Truck” signs after trucks began using the road as a shortcut to the log yard on Highway 49. Supervisors approved the request.
In other road business, the Board approved establishing a 30-mile-per-hour speed limit on Beulah Church Road and authorized the purchase of two flashing speed limit signs for Zion Hill Road at a cost of $1,851.20 each to improve traffic safety.
County Engineer Greg Bounds announced that bids for the Athens Road reseal project will be opened July 20. He also reported that bridge inspections on State Aid roads have been completed and said the inspection reports will be presented to the Board once they are finalized.
Supervisors also approved a request from Tax Assessor Jamie Brewer to attend the Mississippi Tax Assessors and Collectors Association Fall Conference in Natchez.
County Administrator Charlie Welch presented several financial, personnel and administrative items for Board approval.
Among those requests were personnel actions for the Simpson County Sheriff’s Department. Supervisors approved allowing dispatcher Mark Smith to attend a 40-hour Basic Dispatch Class in Collins July 27-31 at no cost to the county. The Board also approved promoting Smith from a part-time, non-certified dispatcher earning $12.90 per hour to a full-time, non-certified dispatcher at $14.75 per hour.
The Board also approved hiring Cedric Allbritton as a full-time certified sheriff’s deputy assigned to Magee School at $21.41 per hour, along with Jacob Horn as a full-time certified sheriff’s deputy at the same hourly rate.
Supervisors approved the July 15 claims docket totaling $1,459,941.14, along with electronic payment claims to VISA totaling $2,640.88 for the Board of Supervisors and $521.88 for the Sheriff’s Department. The completed June claims docket was made part of the official minutes, and the Board accepted the county’s June financial reports.
The Board approved the purchase of a $200 advertising banner at the Simpson Academy football field, continuing the county’s annual support of local schools.
Supervisors also approved the appointment of John Alan Buffington as Special Public Prosecutor in the case of State of Mississippi vs. Eva Sullivan due to the recusal of County Prosecutor Wesley Broadhead.
The Board approved payment of the 2026-2027 Mississippi Justice Court Clerks Association dues for Justice Court Clerk Joyce Hicks in the amount of $550 and authorized her attendance at the association’s annual convention September 8-11 at the Grand Hotel in Natchez.
Among other matters acknowledged and entered into the Board minutes were the Simpson County Parks and Recreation Department’s June daily recap, cash report and financial statement, the annual maintenance inspection report from the Office of State Aid Road Construction, and correspondence sent to Good Hope, Inc. regarding road damage on Pinola-Braxton Road.
Supervisors also acknowledged Sansom Equipment Company’s evaluation of two garbage trucks purchased through Bond Issue 136. The inspection identified $11,545.93 in service and repair costs, which will be deducted from the company’s $170,000 buyback offer for each truck, resulting in a total payment of $328,454.07.
The Board further acknowledged that the payoff amount for Bond Issue 136 as of July 15 totaled $313,095.51.
Before concluding the regular agenda, supervisors reviewed upcoming meeting dates. The next Board of Supervisors meetings are scheduled for Monday, August 3; Friday, August 14; Tuesday, September 8; Tuesday, September 15; and Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The Board also noted that county offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
County Attorney Danny Welch informed the Board that he had a matter requiring an Executive Session.
Before entering the closed session, Emergency Management Director John Kilpatrick presented a request concerning the spelling of a county road sign. Kilpatrick explained that changing or renaming a road can create complications for emergency responders, 911 dispatching, mapping systems, postal delivery and other public services. While acknowledging the request, Kilpatrick recommended leaving the road name unchanged but noted the final decision rested with the Board.
After discussion, supervisors voted to deny the request to change the spelling of the road sign.
With no further business in open session, the Board voted to adjourn into Executive Session.
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