The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 20, commenced with a prayer followed by a discussion of the minutes from the Feb. 5 meeting. District 3 Supervisor Willie Earl Townsend Jr. raised the concern of the bus turnaround on Mayfield Road. Following an incident during the January ice storm, where a school bus attempting to turn around damaged the area behind a residence, Townsend brought attention to the fact that the affected yard has not been repaired. While the area was not initially designated as a school bus turnaround, one has since been added across the road. The Board engaged in discussion and different options were considered. They are actively working towards a resolution for this matter. The Board then approved the minutes of the Feb. 5 meeting.
The one guest on the agenda was Circuit Clerk Robert Perry, who requested the Board’s approval to hire a part time employee in the circuit clerk’s office at a rate of $18.50 per hour. As the individual had previous experience working in the office, no additional training would be required. The Board granted approval for the hiring of the part time employee.
In other news from the Board:
- Authorized to spread upon the minutes the January Justice Court bank reconciliation.
- Authorized a contract with Election Systems & Software in the amount of $3,150 to provide support for the Mar. 12 primary election.
- Approved to purchase a copier/printer for the election commissioners in the amount of $2,187.
- Authorized to provide support to the Economic Development District for the purchase of a sign and other office expenses in the amount of $5,000.
- Authorized to ratify a handwritten check being issued to the circuit court criminal account for the purchase of checks on Feb. 6 in the amount of $50.25.
- Authorized to renew the county firewall software for three years in the amount of $7,581.
- Authorized to void check #48487 to the Fifth Circuit DA Forfeiture Account in the amount of $6,341 and reissue to the same vendor in the amount of $1,891.80.
- Authorized to spread upon the minutes certificates of completion for the election commissioners at the Election Commissioners’ Association of Mississippi 2024 Certification and Training.
After these approvals, the topic of discussion shifted to the county dump. In a previous meeting, discussion had touched upon Winona residents facing restrictions at the county dump. It was acknowledged during this conversation that no definitive decision had been made on the matter. Instances were mentioned where Winona residents attempting to use the county dump were informed that it was not permitted. The Board chose to rescind any prior statements regarding Winona residents being restricted from using the county dump.
“People in the city of Winona pay taxes just like they do in the city of Kilmichael and Duck Hill. If they are paying taxes, we need to let them dump,” Board President Ron Wood said.
Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Allan Pratt then reported receiving a call from a county resident who expressed concern about a substantial increase in their fire insurance. The resident advocated for the creation of a district in the Kilmichael area. Following discussion, the Board concluded that for the resolution to proceed, there would need to be more widespread support, involving more than just one or two individuals.
“If we get 50 or so signatures of people who want to set these districts up, then we will look at it again,” President Wood said.
Sheriff Jeff Tompkins then informed the Board that two new vehicles have arrived for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department.
The Board then authorized to recess this meeting until Thursday, Feb. 29, at 8 a.m.
