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The Simpson County Board of Supervisors meeting held on March 2, 2026, drew a standing-room-only crowd at the Simpson County Courthouse.
Attendance was likely higher than usual because earlier in the week, county resident Chris May announced he planned to address the Board regarding concerns about the fairness of Sheriff Paul Mullins. On Sunday, Sheriff Mullins posted information about the meeting on Facebook, encouraging citizens who support the Sheriff’s Department and law enforcement to attend.
In that Facebook post, Sheriff Mullins said the following:
After the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, Board President Wayne Womack called the meeting to order.
Chancery Clerk Tim Gray requested approval of the proof of publication for the report of revenue and expenditures for garbage and rubbish disposal for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The Board approved the request.
President Womack then recognized Chris May, who, in accordance with Board policy, was given five minutes to speak. His full remarks are available in the video below or on the MageeNews.com Facebook page.
May questioned what he described as unfair treatment by Sheriff Mullins, stating that the sheriff does not answer or return his phone calls. Later in the meeting, Sheriff Mullins responded that he does not communicate with May because May has filed a lawsuit against him and communication is restricted during ongoing litigation.
Near the conclusion of May’s remarks, a verbal disagreement occurred inside the courtroom between May and Melissa Mullins, the wife of Sheriff Mullins. May and his wife, Hanna, exited the courtroom. Shortly thereafter, a loud noise was heard in the overflow area, causing concern among those in attendance.
Several individuals followed the couple into the overflow area, where an altercation occurred. According to statements made at the scene, Mrs. May alleged that both she and her husband had sustained injuries during the incident. She requested that an ambulance be called to transport them to the hospital for evaluation. Law enforcement officers on site responded immediately to assist and restore order. Another verbal dispute occurred outside the courthouse between May and officers.
After the disturbance, the meeting was called back to order. Several citizens addressed the Board in support of Sheriff Mullins.
The Board then resumed regular business.
A presentation was held honoring Robert L. Lang upon his retirement after 15 years of service.
Road Manager Jeremy Bolton requested approval of the February Road Report, which was approved. The Board also approved a promotional pay increase for Victor Brown to non-CDL pay at $14.95 per hour.
A motion was approved to award the bid for painting and striping railroad crossings at Gum Springs, Emmit Brown, and Rom Berry (stop bar only), as requested by the Mississippi Department of Transportation through Mr. Josh Stubbs. The lowest bid of $4,590.00 was submitted by Park Right Striping, LLC.
Supervisors approved a motion to ratify and donate 10 damaged bridge flats (cracked and chipped) to Lamar County for use in a county project. The materials were determined to have no monetary value.
Two new school bus turnarounds located at 200 Downs Avenue and 169 Thurman Road were approved.
Sheriff Paul Mullins presented February 2026 invoices from Summit Food Service totaling $21,158.92, which were approved. The Board also approved the hiring of Brianna Williams as a part-time, non-certified jail employee at $12.90 per hour.
Tax Assessor-Collector Jamie Brewer requested approval of February solid waste credits, changes to the real and personal property rolls, and changes to the homestead rolls. All were approved.
County Administrator Charlie Welch presented the following report:
- Adopt an Order to approve the Claims Docket of March 02, 2026, in the amount of $180,779.22
- Authorize the continued extension of the Emergency Order for Bridge Repairs.
- Consider allowing the Historical Society to sponsor a courthouse tour and a play featuring reading of the Declaration of Independence on May 16, 2026, as part of the America 250 celebration.
- Approve the commissary contract and the communications agreement for the Simpson County Jail, contingent upon CTC’s legal department incorporating the County’s requested revisions and executing the final agreements.
- Consider the Rental Service Agreement with Cintas, providing rubber mats for the Sheriff’s Office.
- Consider approval of a gravel-only surface for the Strong River public access point to accommodate small boat and kayak launches, in order to obtain the required estimate for the MDWFP grant application. The estimated project cost is $87,850.00 with a 25% local match of actual invoiced amount. Due to sand migration and bank stabilization concerns, engineering, budget considerations, and matching funds for a permanent boat ramp will be addressed in the next budget year, at which time the County will reapply for the MDWFP grant for a boat ramp.
- Approve the purchase of:
- Ratify the purchase of plastic culverts to replenish inventory at the Central Barn, Four (4) quotes received with J&G Culverts being the lowest quote. PO 26-0924 issued on February 12, 2026 in the amount of $15,177.00 (see attached quotes)
- Ratify the purchase of plastic culverts to replenish inventory at the Pinola Barn, Three (3) quotes received with G&O being the lowest quote. PO 26-0930 issued on February 17, 2026 in the amount of $9,241.20 (see attached quotes)
- Approve applicable travel, meals, lodging, registration, and mileage expenses for:
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- Approval for Ted Warren to attend the MS SWANA 2026 Spring Conference May 19-21, 2026 at the Imperial Palace Resort and Casino on the Back Bay in Biloxi, MS
- Approval for Tim Gray and Charlie Welch to attend the Spring Educational Workshop of the Mississippi Chancery Clerks and County Administrators/Comptrollers on April 22-23, 2026, at the Embassy Suites, Ridgeland, Mississippi. Registration is $80.00 per person.
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- Authorize the claims and immediate issuance of checks for the following:
- Approve payment to Southern Paving in the amount of $178,038.38 for pre-leveling work, contingent upon satisfactory final inspection and approval of the roadway, and authorize issuance of a check upon completion of the inspection, as recommended by Manager Jeremy Bolton.
- Acknowledge and Record in the Board Minutes:
- Acknowledge that Wayne Womack, Board President; Tim Gray, Chancery Clerk, and Charlie Welch, County Administrator, completed the exit interview with the State Auditor’s Office for the Fiscal Year 2024 audit.
- Acknowledge completion of Year 3 of the Energy Performance Project, covering the period from November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025, which projected annual energy savings of $72,370.00. Actual performance exceeded expectations, resulting in additional savings of $5,257.00, for a total verified savings of $77,627.00.
- Acknowledge The Simpson County Board of Supervisors list of Board members and Commissions as of March 2, 2026 (see supporting documentation)
- Acknowledge receipt of three (3) bridges requiring load posting, as identified during recent bridge inspections and requested by the Office of State Aid. (See supporting documentation.)
- Acknowledge the Board President’s signature on a letter supporting Simpson County’s FY 2027 Community Project Funding Fleet Modernization Initiative, requesting competitive funding, to be submitted through the County’s grant contractor, BDO.
- Monthly quotes for asphalt and gravel for March 2026 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 applicable, the secondary bidder. (We must use the lowest vendor next in line when using alternate bids.) See Documentation.
- Acknowledge Janice Skiffer of Bridge Builders for reserving the Multi-Purpose Building on March 20, 2026, to host an informational sharing session and roundtable discussion for residents of Simpson County, featuring representatives from USDA, MDHS, Central Mississippi Legal Services, and Voter Registration.
- Reminders:
- Meetings
- Monday, March 16, 2026 Board Meeting
- Monday, April 6, 2026 Board Meeting
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Board Meeting
- Events:
- Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Mississippi Primary Election Day
- 2026 MAPDD Conference April 21-24, 2026 at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, MS
- MS SWANA 2026 Spring Conference May 19-21, 2026.
- Holidays:
- Friday, April 3, 2026 Good Friday
- Monday, May 25, 2026 Memorial Day
- Solid Waste Holiday Schedules
