The Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors met for the first meeting of September Tuesday morning in the board room in Prentiss. Rev. Jessie Holloway opened with prayer before the agenda was approved.

Charles Carter with AAA Ambulance discussed the county’s ambulance services with the board. It is time to renew the AAA contract and the board wanted clarity regarding the services they provide.

There is one ambulance posted in Jefferson Davis County, three in Marion County and one in Walthall County. These ambulances shift around the service area to maintain coverage when needed. For instance, if the Jefferson Davis County ambulance is on a transfer, one of the Marion County ambulances will move closer to provide services in Jefferson Davis County should an emergency arise. 

“We post and move ambulances around the different parts of the service area so that we can maintain the responses in each area,” said Carter.

“What can the board do to help with the arrival time,” said District 3 Supervisor Demarrio Booth. Booth expressed concern after there was an instance when it took an hour for an ambulance to arrive at an emergency in the county.

Carter said all ambulances in the service area were on calls that day which caused the delay.

“That will happen from time to time, but it is a rare occurrence,” said Carter.

The board inquired about the option of Jefferson Davis County being served by two ambulances.

AAA is supported by reimbursements from service calls, along with the subsidy from the county.

According to Carter, the JDC ambulance transports three patients a day, averaging 90 transports per month. “Those numbers can’t support another ambulance dedicated to this county,” he said.

When there is a major emergency or natural disaster, ambulances will be pulled from other counties in their service area. When the Easter tornadoes hit in 2020, AAA had five ambulances in Bassfield within an hour.

“The bottom line is we all live in very rural locations and sometimes it takes a while to get an ambulance even when they are ready and coming straight to you,” said Carter. That is why first responders are very important as well,” he said.

According to Carter, they are planning to add an additional ambulance the three counties can share that will be based out of Marion County. “That will give us another resource so we can better meet the needs of the three counties in this area,” he said. The board approved signing three-year contract with AAA. The county pays $71,600 per year for AAA ambulance services with no increase in that rate since 2006. The board approved signing three-year contract with AAA

Ricky Hartzog with the Prentiss Youth Football League updated the board on the status of the league. The league will consist of two teams this year with each team consisting of 75 players and cheerleaders. Hartzog is concerned about the increased cost of safety equipment for the players.  The board approved a $1000 donation from the recreation fund.

Jefferson Davis County Economic Development Director Gary Bass informed the board of an MDOT Job Fair that will be held Sept. 17 in his office.

The board approved a quote for the purchase of a New Holland tractor in District 5 from Cole Tractor for $66,000.

Board attorney Wes Daughdrill and engineer Les Dungan gave their reports.

There will be a special called board meeting and public hearing held Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. regarding the budget.

In other board news, the board approved the following without opposition before entering executive session and adjourning:

• Approved minutes.

• Approved quote for repair of dozer from Stribling Equipment at the landfill.

• Approved purchase of Tiger boom mower from state contract for District 5

• Approved payment of invoice without a purchase order.

• Approved use of credit card in District 1 to SiteGround for EMA website.

• Approved spreading into the Minutes Jail Meal Log from March 2023, May 2023 and June 2023.

• Approved employees attending meetings and conventions.

• Approved spreading into the minutes Employee Action Form for Districts 1, Chancery Clerk and Department of Human Services.

• Approved hiring second chance employees.

• Approved transfer and transfer of funds of 2002 Chevrolet dump truck (Asset 200) from District 2 to District 5.

• Approved transfer of inventory, Asset #1690 2009 Dodge Durango, from Emergency Management to Board of Supervisors.

• Approved deleting from inventory Asset #1434 Wildcat riding lawn mower.

• Approved petty cash fund for the Board of Supervisors office.

• Approved claims.