The Jefferson Davis Board of Supervisors met Monday morning for the first February meeting. Rev. Jessie Holloway offered prayer before the meeting was called to order and the agenda approved.

Chris Harrison with C & M Tire introduced himself to the board and informed them of services he could offer the county regarding heavy equipment tires and repairs.

Dorothy Young, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, gave an update to the Board on the vending and commissary services for the new jail. The Board gave authority for her to move forward and coordinate with Citi Tele Coin to speed up the process of getting the new jail ready for the prisoners. Citi Tele Coin provides phone and messaging communications between inmates and family, friends and loved ones.

Bassfield Mayor Angie Ladner requested a donation from the Board for the JDC Mayors’ Youth Council. The board agreed to be a Gold Sponsor for the Council with a donation of $750. The Council is made up of 28 students from Jefferson Davis County and the sponsorship will help them attend the Youth Summit this summer at Mississippi State University as well as other yearly activities.

Economic Development Director Gary Bass gave an economic development update and requested the board to join the Mississippi Heritage Trust. Jefferson Davis County has three properties on the Top 10 Most Endangered Historic Places lists with the Trust which draws attention to those abandoned properties possibly generating funding. The Board agreed to pay the $100 joining fee.

George Griffith resigned as county fire coordinator; no new coordinator has been selected. 

During County Engineer Les Dungan’s report, the Board agreed to accept bids to replace bridges on Mt. Zion Road and Wiley Dyess Road. Dungan announced that state funding was approved to replace the bridges on East Granby Road and Sonat Road. The board approved to start the process of closing Floyd Jones Road in District 2.

In other board news, the board approved the following without opposition before adjourning:

•Approved minutes.

•Approved Board President signing the Community Heritage Preservation Grant for the Courthouse Project.

•Approved Board President signing with Delta Computer Systems Affordable Care Act 1094/1995 Electronic Filing Request Form.

•Approved Board President signing MS Department of Insurance County Fire Investigator Form appointing Harold Rhodes.

•Approved Board President signing Notification of Intent to Apply for Federal Assistance – Five County Child Development Program.

•Approved Board signing a letter of support to Five County Community Transportation.

•Approved spreading into the Minutes from the Governor’s Office Writ of Election for the vacancy of the Circuit Judge position.

•Approved spreading into the Minutes Report of Funds Collected in Support of Rails-to- Trails and approve payment to Rails to Trails.

•Approved spreading into the Minutes Qualifying Statement of Intent for Candidate for Election Commissioner in Districts 1, 3 and 5.

•Approved spreading into the Minutes Telecommunication Service Agreement Amendment with C-Spire for the Sheriff’s office and Jail.

•Approved spreading into the Minutes Solid Waste Tire Grant Application.

•Approved re-appointment of Tony Waits as JDC representative to the Southeast MS Air Ambulance District.

•Approved reimbursement on property sold at the Tax Sale in error: Kale Farms, LLC for $141.02, SDG Investments, LLC for $299.71, Bennett Hills, Inc.for $294.71, Kale Farms, Inc. for $24.31.

•Approved sale of junk iron for District 2.

•Approved Purchase Clerk obtaining quotes for vehicles for Coroner and Emergency Management.

•Approved Purchase Clerk obtaining quotes for employee access cards to Sheriff’s new building.

•Approved placement of 2024 Tax Assessor/Collector Salary Chart Guildeline Worksheet in Minutes.

•Approved employees attending meetings and conventions.

•Approved employment action forms for District 3.

•Approved overage on purchase orders: Purchase order 240128, 1.8 gallons of gasoline, $3.98 (Sheriff) Purchase order 240133 – 1.4 gallons of diesel – $3.92 (District 3) Purchase order 240134 – 1.6 gallons of diesel – $4.48 (District 2) Purchase order 240135 – 1.0 gallon of gasoline – $2.19 (District 4).

•Approved payment to Trustmark for road construction loan due March 1.

•Approved deleting from inventory Board of Supervisors: Asset #2135 computer and Asset #2218 computer.

•Approved claims.