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The November 6, 2023 Simpson County Board of Supervisors meeting was called to order by President Donny Welch.
Following a report by Simpson County Development Foundation Executive Director Pat Brown concerning a parcel of land near Polk’s to be declared surplus and completion of the Simpson County Leadership Class, bids were opened on a project for guardrails on Old River Road. Two companies submitted bids: Atwood Fence Company, Inc and McCraney Striping & Seal Coating, Inc. The bids were taken under advisement.
The October minutes were approved.
County Engineer Buddy Wolverton did not supply MageeNews.com with a copy of the road report.
Road Manager Ben Warren reported a situation has risen concerning asphalt. The agreed price was $20 a ton including delivery. At this time, the company cannot deliver due to a shortage of labor. Discussion was held concerning our county pick up the asphalt. No decision was made at this time. Mr. Warren pointed out the weather is playing such a large part in everything. “The drought is tough on everything and everybody,” stated Warren.
Tax Assessor Jamie Brewer noted the surrender tags for October is complete. Mrs. Brewer requested permission to attend a Tax assessor seminar costing $1,000 and permission for an employee to attend a mapping class at a cost of $400. Both requests were approved.
John Kilpatrick Emergency Management reminded everyone the burn ban is still in effect. John stated,” it is getting dryer and dryer…citizens must be aware.”
Charlie Welch updated progress with the Court House. November 10, 2023 is the scheduled completion date. 90% is completed at this time. The Trustee Hall, located next to the Simpson County jail is almost complete.
30 non violent inmates will move to the Trustee Hall allowing additional room in the Jail. The Trustee Hall was built by local building company Traxler Construction using ARPA funds; therefore, local taxes were not used for this project.
Chancery Clerk Tim Gray discussed Proof of Publication of Bid opening. The order appointing and setting salary for youth court defender, William Smith, was recorded in the minutes.
The order appointing and setting salary for Youth Court and Lunacy Referee. James B. Skyles was recorded in the minutes.
The order appointing Chancery Court District Guardian Ad Litem, April Taylor Bryant, with pay raise was recorded in the minutes.
Sheriff Paul Mullins asked for three new hires: Kimberly McNair jail new hire full time certified $14.40 per hour; Hunter Hemphill jail new hire full time non-certified $13.75 per hour: and Chantell Williams new hire dispatch part time certified $13.75 per hour. The Board approved the new hires.
Invoice renewal for Omnigo software at a cost of $21,933.15 for December 2023-May 2024 was approved.
The October 2023 Summit Food Services invoice in the amount of $27,477.07 was approved for payment.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BOARD AUTHORIZATIONS FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2023, BOARD MEETING:
- Adopt an Order to approve the Claims Docket of November 6, 2023, in the amount of
$602,565.32.
- Charlie Welch -Update on various projects.
- Courthouse
- Trustee Hall
- Others
.3 Approve the Pay Application #9to Traxler Construction for $134,596.57 for the Simpson County Trustee Hall Expansion Project from ARPA funds.
- Ratify the lowest quotations for repairs to three (3) Sheriff’s Office vehicles damaged in a car chase on September 7, 2023. The low quotes are as follows: asset #4428 – Paul’s Body Shop for $7,740.70, asset #4427 – Paul’s Body Shop for $4,489.20 and asset #4312 -Puckett’s Body Shop for $9,074.60. Refer to the attached listing for the various quotes.
- Approve the replacement of the small bridge on Cabinet Shop Road with one of the tank car culverts we recently purchased.
- Reconsider the damage claim of Jesse Mitchell MS Gulf Coast, for windshield damage from Road Department Truck (Israel Drummond, Driver). The lowest quote was from Singing River Glass for $267.50. The second quote was from Dixie Glass for $300.67. Mr. Mitchell has submitted photographs of the county truck and load and asserts that the driver used a broom brush to sweep debris of of the trailer deck while they were stopped. Not Approved
- Consider the damage claim of Demarcus Brown for damage to his 2019 Infinity right front and rear doors he asserts was damaged by rocks thrown from the county road bushhog on Moody Wallace Road on October 16, 2023. The lowest quotation was from Randy’s Body Shop for $727.50.
The second quote was from Paul’s Body Shop for $1,289.35.
Not approved
- Approve the lowest quotation bid of Trustmark National Bank of5.17% for36 months for the lease purchase of two (2) new Western Star / New Way 20 Yd Rear Loader garbage trucks for $477,906 with a balloon note at the end of$290,000. The second quote was received from Cadence Bank for 5.76%.
- Approve the appropriation of $5,000 previously discussed for advertising county resources and promoting Simpson County for the Bicentennial Steering Committee of the Simpson County Historical and Genealogical Society.
- Approve the Bicentennial Kick Off event at the Courthouse on Saturday, January 27, 2024, as requested by Lynn McCoy.
11.Consider the request of Amy Whitfield to lease the old Harrisville voting house for a Dog Grooming and Boarding Business. Not approved
12.Consider the request of the City of Mendenhall to remove the Deaf Child Sign and
increase the speed limit to 35 mph on Athens Road.
13.Consider taking proposals for collection agent contract for Justice Court. Southern Financial Systems has requested to be considered. Currently we are using MS Court Solutions.
- Approve the payment to Morrow Realty for the Market Rent Summary for the DHS and P S office space in the Multipurpose building for $1,000.
15.Consider appointing a contact person for the Mississippi BEAM for broadband issues. Charlie Welch was appointed the contact person.
- Authorize the preparation of Resolutions for retiring officials.
17.Consider policy change(s) for Solid Waste Collection, Addressing and issuance of Car
Tags.
- Approve the purchase of: A.
19.Approve applicable travel, meals, lodging, registration and mileage expenses for:
- Supervisors and Staff to attend the Miss. Assn. of Supervisors 2024 Mid- Winter Legislative and Educational Conference January 23-25, 2024, at the Refuge Hotel &Conference Center in Flowood, MS.
- Authorize the claims and immediate issuance of checks for the following: A.
21.Acknowledge and Record in the Board Minutes:
- Monthly quotes for asphalt and gravel
For November 2023 and authorize use of 2nd and 3rd quotations as lowest in instances where there is lack of availability at times from the primary bidder and, if in applicable, the secondary bidder. (We must use the lowest vendor next in line when using alternate bids.)
- D’Lo Water Park Daily Recap Report for September 2023.
- Miss. Assn. of Supervisors County Employee Scholarship Applications- Two scholarships for different eligible Simpson County employees’ students are available each year.
- Notice of MS Assn. of Supervisors Inmate Medical and Rx Cost Containment Program change from Gulf Guaranty to Association Program Administrators, LLC.
- Notice of Office of State Aid Road Construction approved change order #2 for SAP 64(64.
- Chancery Court Order to appoint April Taylor Bryant as District Guardian Ad Liter with a pay raise effective October 1, 2023, to $54,000 per year, plus PERS, other benefits and health insurance to be paid by Jefferson Davis County with reimbursement by each county in the district for their pro-rata share.
Simpson County’s share will be 29.2% for this fiscal year.
- Simpson County YF 202 Annual Disclosure Submission as prepared by the Butler Snow Law Firm.
- Chris D. Hennis, DA, Supplemental Salaries and New Positions as allowed by Miss. Code. Sections 25-31-10.1 and 25-31-5(4) for payments processed by Simpson County on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office.
.I Notice of Claim filed for Mary Mitchell for her injuries suffered in the automobile collision with a Simpson County Sheriff’s Vehicle involved in the car chase on September 7, 2023.
Future Board Meetings
.1 Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – (Thanksgiving Luncheon with BOS) 2. Monday, December 4, 2023
.3 Friday, December 15, 2023
- Tuesday, January 2, 2024 – First Meeting of New Term
- Events:
.1 Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – General Election Day
- MAS New Term Supervisors Orientation 12-6 & 7, 2023.
.3 Thursday, December 28, 2023 – Retirement Party honoring Judge Ted Blakeney, 6:00p.m. at Berry’s Seafood in Magee.
.4 MAS Mid- Winter Legislative and Educational Conference 1-23/25-2024 C. Holidays:
.1 Friday, November 10, 2023 – Veterans’ Day
- Thanksgiving Holiday – Thursday and Friday, November 23&24, 2023 3.
Christmas-?? (Governor has not confirmed dates)
- New Year-?? (Governor has not confirmed dates)
- Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues in various county offices.
Meeting was adjourned.
I am sorry for the technical errors on the broadcast. There was an issue with the sound.
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