WALTHALL — Webster County officials plan to seeks grant funds through a state program to help purchase a new fire truck.
Fire Coordinator Barry Rushing and Deputy Fire Coordinator Tom Booth discussed the Mississippi Insurance Department’s Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program with the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 2.
The program provides matching fund grants for fire truck purchases in rural areas. Its purpose is to assist in the operation of fire protection districts and associations in rural areas that have little or no fire protection available. Rushing and Booth requested permission to apply for a grant through the program, which requires a 20% local match.
Booth said if grant funds are awarded, he would like for a pumper truck to be purchased to replace one at the Walthall Volunteer Fire Department because of the courthouse being located in the county seat in addition to the planned Webster County Operations Center.
Supervisors eventually approved a motion authorizing the two to pursue first-round RFTAAP funds.
Additionally on Dec. 2, the board voted to hire Karen Huffman as a new employee in the tax assessor’s office at $15 an hour effective immediately.
November meeting minutes approved the same day show the board handled these matters on the respective dates:
Nov. 4
On Nov. 4, the board approved two motions authorizing Board President Pat Cummings and Chancery Clerk Michael Kolb to sign memorandums of understanding and other documents with the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration on behalf of the county.
The MOUs and documents set forth conditions by the department in accepting funds from Section 10 of Senate Bill 2468 in allocating funds for separate purposes. An allocation of $50,000 will assist in paying costs associated with the purchase of a new patrol car for the Sheriff’s Department. An allocation of $25,000 will assist in paying costs associated with the renovation and expansion of Mathiston Volunteer Fire Department.
Both motions also authorized Kolb to open new bank accounts for each allocation and deposit funds when they arrive.
In addition to a previously reported executive session to discuss economic development, the board on Nov. 4 approved these motions:
• to approve the October board minutes.
• authorize Kolb to complete the FY 2025 Mississippi Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund grant application in the amount of $6,053.
• to instruct Kolb to advertise for goods and services for the next 12 months; bids were to be opened Dec. 16.
• to change compensation rates for Chancery Court and Youth Court bailiffs. Bailiffs will receive $50 compensation for up to the first three hours of work, then $14 an hour thereafter.
• to hire Jordan Russell as deputy chancery clerk effective Dec. 1 at a rate of $28,000 a year.
• to rehire Allen Kilgore as a part-time road hand for 10 days per month at the rate allowed by PERS.
• to accept the resignation of Katie May as deputy tax assessor effective Oct. 31.
• to hire May as purchasing clerk effective Nov. 1 at a rate of $28,000 a year.
Nov. 18
The board approved these motions during a recessed meeting Nov. 18:
• to hire Joshua McLaughlin as part-time dispatcher at the current part-time dispatcher rate at Webster County E911, effective Nov. 18.
• close the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair-78(01) bank account and deposit remaining funds in the amount of approximately $1,505 to Blacktop in the General Funds bank account.
• to appoint Tina Scott as special prosecutor to prosecute the criminal case of the State of Mississippi vs. Josh Whitlock on 10 misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure. The case was scheduled for Justice Court on Dec. 20. County Prosecutor Danielle Banks recused herself because of a conflict pursuant to the Mississippi Rules of Ethics governing Mississippi attorneys.
• to correct the salary of Deputy Tax Collector Krystal Ballard to $16 an hour effective Oct. 14. She was incorrectly paid $15 an hour. Her rate of pay will be $16 an hour at the request of Tax Collector Barbara Gore.
• to change the date of November payroll and the final November board meeting to Nov. 27 because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Chad Winter, county economic development director, addressed the board but no action was taken, according to the minutes. The minutes indicate that Belinda Stewart, Craig Bjorgum and Cord Crenshaw of Belinda Stewart Architects were also present. BSA is the architectural firm for the Operations Center.
Nov. 27
Paul Crowley, vice president of the board, presided during a recessed meeting Nov. 27 in Cummings’ absence. Doug Burgess (District 5) was also absent.
The only business handled was to approve the claims docket for the month and to approve issuing a special check for the purchase of six rolls of stamps for the tax collector’s office.
