In their meeting of Monday, May 6, the Choctaw County Board of Supervisors met with members of the Choctaw Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees who were requesting a grant from the County in the amount of $649K. Medical Center CFO Steve Maranelli reported that the hospital is able to meet its operating costs, but not to satisfy the debt. Supervisor Eric Chambers made a motion in the form of a letter which is attached. Rather than grant the funds Chambers motion would have loaned the funds to the Board of Trustees. Supervisor Chris McIntire stated that when the County turned the hospital over to the Trustees that a heavy debt burden went along with it, which was unfair. Chambers motion was defeated by a vote of 2-3, with Chambers and Supervisor Greg Fondren voting in favor, and Supervisors McIntire, Joey Stephenson and John Shumaker voting against. McIntire then offered a motion to grant the funds, which passed on a 3-2 vote with Chambers and Fondren voting against.
Dr. Jan Ganann of Community Counseling Services made an annual report to the Board pointing out that 319 individuals in Choctaw County received services in 2018; The CCS budget for fiscal year 2018, for Choctaw County, was $1.36M; CCS employs 14 full-time workers in the county, and three PRN employees with annual salaries of $543K. The Choctaw County Board of Supervisors contributes $24K in millage money annually.
Lara Bowman, Executive Director of The Enterprise, reported to the Board that Polo Custom Products of Louisville is looking to expand, and is interested in the now vacant Hardwire building, and Polo officials are interested in a lease price. The Board took no action at this time.
Sheriff Cloyd Halford requested that the Board approve the emergency hiring of William Ray Evans as a dispatcher; the Board voted unanimously for approval.
In other action, the Board:
• Voted 5-0 to approve travel for PERS and employment law training in Pearl, MS on June 27.
•Voted 5-0 to approve travel for Justice Court Clerk and recognize Justice Court Judges training.
• Voted 5-0 to approve the April jail inspection.
•Voted 5-0 to approve soil waste deletions, adjustments and assessments.
•Voted 5-0 to approve travel for the Deputy Court Clerk.
• Voted 5-0 to approve travel for the Constable.
The Choctaw Board of Supervisors next scheduled meeting is Monday, May 20 at 9 a.m.
