Supervisors Provide Funds for Community Garden

The Winston County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, January 22 due to the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday. The Board’s agenda was as follows:

• ·         Heard from Jimmy Kemp of Kemp and Associates concerning state aid bridge projects.
• ·         Approved payment of $7120 to Calvert – Spradling for engineering work far roof repair of the Teeter’s facility. The completion of the repair is estimated to cost $106,000 with roughly $44,000 coming from a MDA grant.
• ·         The Board made note of a lease purchase agreement for a truck for district 4. Supervisor Turnipseed indicated that the agreement was complete and the district was simply waiting for the delivery of the vehicle.
• ·         Carnette Hudson of N – Fusion informed the Board of the purpose and role of the nonprofit organization. N-Fusion is in place to help young adults from ages 14 to 21 to develop mental wellness, improve life skills, provide support and involvement with their families. The organization helps with G E D classes and medical assistance. It serves Oktibbeha County as well and is funded by grants.
• ·         The Board heard from the owner of Cold Mix, Inc. concerning possible future contracts.
• ·         The Board also approved the transfer of funds and vehicles between Districts one and two.
• ·         Supervisors reviewed the solid waste tag holds and approved.
• ·         The Board approved several payments for various expenses with Circuit Court, Justice Court, Sheriff’s Department and court reporters.
• ·         After discussion, the Board agreed to a previously discussed plan that would provide uniform payments of $4500 per month to the city landfill and a final payment or reconciliation at the end of each fiscal year. Supervisor Luke had worked out this plan with city officials to eliminate inconsistent billing problems.
• ·         Also after discussion, the Board agreed to provide $5000 for the Winston County Extension Office gardening project and to allow the use of County property on old Robinson Road for the project. Extension agent Mike Skipper indicated that Farm Bureau was providing some funding for the project as well. The project involves raised bed gardens and training of local individuals and gardening techniques. The Board approved the donation but had concerns about where the funding would come from; common County funds or special loan funds.
• ·         The Board agreed to pay a small bill created by maintenance issues at the health department and tabled any discussion of a letter to the state health department about maintenance costs responsibility.
• ·         Paid a budgeted request of $5000 to the Soil and Conservation office for beaver control.
• ·         After later review by County attorney Hugh Hathorn, the Board approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Louisville for housing prisoners at the correctional facility. The cost to the city would be $25 per day.
• ·         The Board approved several demand checks from various departments.
• ·         The Board also approved County Coroner Scott Gregory’s request for the purchase of disaster pouches for his office.
• ·         Supervisors also reappointed Ben Kirk to the Airport Board. Kirk was previously completing an unexpired term.
• ·         The Board discussed the use of a collection company for collecting court fees with the Justice Court Clerk. Several issues were raised and the Board decided to contact the company and pursue a possible contract.
• ·         Tax Assessor Larry Woodward presented several Homestead deletions and changes for Board approval. Supervisor Luke Parkes expressed his displeasure about continued voting and approval of L M S D 16th section leases. Parkes indicated that he felt that the school Board needs to get together on what to spend money on in our schools and programs. (The LMSD Board recently tabled a planned improvement project for area schools).  The 16th section lease under consideration was approved by a vote of 3 to 1 with one abstaining. Parkes voted against the lease and Supervisor Peterson abstained.
• ·         E M A Director Buddy King presented a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan that is required of the County. The Board approved the plan.
• ·         District 1 and District 3 Supervisors indicated a desire to purchase vehicles and entered into some discussion about the State Contract List.
• ·         The Board heard from the Correctional Facility Warden Tim Palmer concerning several personnel changes at the facility. He also asked for approval to trade six older Glock handguns for six new Glock 9 mm handguns. The trade would result in six new guns for roughly the cost of two and the facility would also be able to save money due to the use of less expensive ammunition. The Board approved the request. Palmer also informed the Board that new hot water heaters would be required in the near future. The heaters had not been replaced since the construction of the facility in the late 1990s. To replace them would cost roughly $56,000 with similar heaters. He indicated that an engineer review suggested the use of Rinai on demand water heaters at a cost of only roughly $15,000. An added benefit would be the lower costs for gas and electricity. Palmer provided this information to make the Board aware of the upcoming need.

The full agenda of the Board is available at the Chancery Clerk’s office and the approved minutes will be available when approved by the Board at the next meeting. The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for February 4.

W. McCully