Supervisors Briefed on Airport and County Fire Rating

The Winston County Supervisors met in their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 5. In addition to usual business items, the Board addressed several issues. Here are the highlights:

• The Board was briefed by Mike Forster of the Airport Board concerning recent changes.  Forster provided a map indicated areas where trees were removed, particularly north of the airport runway due to FAA requirements.  He indicated that some of the land involved was actually a lease of 16 section  from LMSD and that the school board had been very helpful with the matter.  Revenues from the timber sales offset any expenses for the removal.  The Airport Board agreed to provide erosion control on the property due to the  steep terrain and Forster requested and was granted assistance from the supervisors to erect a brush berm near a creek at the bottom of the slope and an earth berm at the top of the slope to slow runoff.  District One Supervisor Burr Warner  agreed to provide assistance in the project.
• The Board heard from Kemp and Associates on several ongoing and completed road/bridge projects and was informed that the Scenic Byways Committee had voted the route through the Refuge and National Forest as a designated route, paving the way for  legislative approval during the next session.
• Regina Higginbotham of DHS thanked the Board and specifically Supervisor Warner for the long needed repair and maintenance that had recently been completed to their offices.
• Coroner Scott Gregory requested and was approved the cost of a new digital radio as needed to match those used by the Sheriff’s Dept. The cost was $834. The Board also approved the cost of required training for the deputy coroner.
• Approved an amended 2012 budget for publication.
• Rejected a consideration for a name change of Lighthouse Road in District 5 due to the complexity of the change and the lack of immediate need.
• Approved an interlocal agreement with Kemper County over the maintenance of Coy Church road in District 2. Supervisor Parks indicated that Winston County was already maintaining the road and that this agreement could allow for assistance in paving the road by the Choctaw Indian tribe.
• Accepted a fire truck vehicle donation from the Forest Service for civil defense.
• Discussed payment requirements to Alliance Health Center for commitment costs of a local individual. These costs are still under negotiation.
• Approved the hire of a part time RN at the Winston County Correctional Facility.
• Approved all County holidays to match state official holidays.
• Heard from EMA Director Buddy King on several issues included the goal to improve the county fire rating for those citizens within a 5 mile radius of a fire dept.  King indicated that the equipment was in place to drop the fire rating at some point which could result in a 30% drop in insurance costs for property owners. King advised that it could still take as much as two years to get the rating due to paperwork requirements and the need for cooperation across district and even county lines.

The full agenda of the meeting can be seen in the Chancery Clerk’s Office and the minutes will be available when approved by the Board. The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for November 19.

W. McCully