The Golden Triangle Planning and Development District (GTPDD) held its annual Advisory Committee meeting for Choctaw County July 2 at the Choctaw County Library.
The annual meeting allows for nominations and voting to determine board members and their respective terms, also to update its members on the GTPDD’s pending and active projects from around the county. The members are also updated on the GTPDD’s social services that they provide to residents of the county year round.
Members present for the meeting were Billy Collier, James Brooks, Chris McIntire, Greg Fondren, Joey Stephenson, Eric Chambers, John Shumaker and Jimmie Oliver. GTPDD staff present was Mitzi Lawrence, Toby Sanford, Sharon Duke, Spencer Broocks, Tricia Jones, and Rudy Johnson. Daniel Brunty with the Choctaw Plaindealer was a guest of the meeting.
Chairman Jimmie Oliver called the meeting to order and began the meeting with an invocation.
Following the approval of the minutes from the previous July 17, 2017 meeting, Oliver explained how his term of service had expired, and a nomination of a member to replace him was upon the board members.
Oliver announced that his four-year term on the GTPDD board expired in July 2018. Chris McIntire made a motion to re-appoint Mr. Oliver to serve the July 2018-2022 term on the GTPDD Full Board with John Shumaker seconding the motion. The motion carried. With there being no other nominations, Mr. Oliver was re-appoint by acclamation.
Oliver then asked for nominations for Choctaw County Advisory Committee Chairman. McIntire nominated Jimmie Oliver for a one-year position with Eric Chambers providing a second. Mr. Oliver was re-elected by acclamation.
Next, the GTPDD staff updated advisory members on the pending, active, and closed projects for the fiscal year of 2018. The county’s Board of Supervisors work closely with GTPDD to secure grants and loans that are offered by the state to improve economic conditions or improve communities.
Spencer Broock began by informing everyone of the pending projects in the county, including the Hardwire roof, ARC Power Grant, French Camp Comp Plan, and purchase of an Ackerman Police car.
Toby Sanford, GIS Manager, announced that the GIS Department was providing technical support with the Choctaw County E-911 Office.
Bobby Gann discussed the social services offered by the GTPDD. The social services offered include homemaker services, nutrition services, childcare services, Medicaid waiver services, aging services and workforce classes.
The Social Services division offers services to residents in the County that need assistance caring for elderly or disabled family members, provide homemakers to help with caring for elderly or disabled persons, offer child care services, deliver nutritious meals, and offer workforce classes
Gann discussed information regarding the aging services such as information and referral, pca, respite and nutrition programs. He also explained the Medicaid waiver program and its qualifications for enrolling.
Sharon Duke announced that she worked with the State Health Insurance Program, (SHIP) and advised everyone to refer any older adults to her for counseling. She also asked that anyone needing assistance with the new insurance qualifications contact her so she could help with new enrollments.
Mitzi Lawrence presented information on requirements and participation of the Out-of-School-Youth program that is for people 16-24 years of age without a job.
After the staff update, questions and comments were addressed.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
July 17, 2017 Choctaw County Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Members present were Stewart Beard, Bo Henderson, Chris Rosamond, Luke Jones, Lee Ellington, Lacy Dean, James Brooks, John Draper, Joey Stewart, Billy Collier, Daniel Huffman, Eric Chambers, Michael Thomas, Ben Tharp, John Shurden, Greg Fondren, Steve Montgomery, Chris McIntire, Billy Ganann, Lillie Anderson, John Shumaker and Jimmie Oliver.
GTPDD staff present was Mitzi Lawrence, Toby Sanford, Sharon Duke, Spencer Broocks, Phylis Benson, George Crawford, Tricia Jones, and Rudy Johnson.
Chairman Jimmie Oliver called the meeting to order with Bobby Gann giving the invocation.
A copy of the July 6, 2016 minutes was presented. Chris McIntire made a motion to approve the minutes. Greg Fondren seconded the motion; motion carried.
Mr. Oliver announced that Thomas Higgin’s four-year term on the GTPDD board expires July 2017. Eric Chambers nominated Greg Fondren to fill this open position with Joey Stewart providing the second. Chris McIntire made a motion to appoint Joey Stephenson with Bo Henderson providing the second. Chairman Oliver asked for a show of hands for Greg Fondren, 10 members voted in favor.
Next, Chairman Oliver asked for a show of hands for Joey Stephenson, 10 members voted in favor. After a second confirmation of votes, the vote stood at 10 to 10 for each appointment, Chairman Oliver asked how the members wanted to break the tie, they agreed on a coin flip. Greg Fondren chose heads with Joey Stephenson receiving tails. Chairman Oliver flipped the coin and heads won. Greg Fondren was elected to fill this 2017-2021, four-year term.
Mr. Oliver asked for nominations for Choctaw County Advisory Committee Chairman. Chris McIntire nominated Jimmie Oliver for a one-year position with Eric Chambers providing a second. Mr. Oliver was re-elected by acclamation.
GTPDD staff updated advisory members on projects for FY2017.
Spencer Broocks, Phylis Benson and George Crawford discussed pending, active, and completed grant applications.
Toby Sanford, GIS Manager, announced that the GIS Department was providing technical support with the Choctaw County E-911 Office.
Bobby Gann discussed information regarding the aging services such as information and referral, pca, respite and nutrition programs. He also explained the Medicaid waiver program and its qualifications for enrolling.
Sharon Duke announced that she worked with the State Health Insurance Program, (SHIP) and advised everyone to refer any older adults to her for counseling. She also asked that anyone needing assistance with the new insurance qualifications contact her so she could help with new enrollments.
Mitzi Lawrence presented information on requirements and participation of the Out-of-School-Youth program that is for people 16-24 years of age without a job.
Questions and comments were addressed.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
