Lincoln County supervisors OK’d wrapping up work on three streets by approving to submit a request to MDOT to close up and finish these particular Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Projects. The three finished roads and the leftover funds include those on Arlington Drive ($6,166), Lott Smith Road ($11,800) and Summers Lane ($1,600).

At Wednesday’s meeting, County Administrator Daniel Calcote recommended closing out the three-street project, while waiting on the one ongoing on Maple Street. That last street is completed, but there are a few last-minute cleanup tasks needing done before the county – and MDOT – can wrap it up completely.

The leftover funds will be returned to the general fund.

The Mississippi Legislature established the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund (ERBRF) during the 2018 Extraordinary Session to revitalize public roads and bridges across the state, MDOT’s website explained. In addition to establishing the ERBRF, the Legislature also provided the necessary authority to initially fund the program up to $250 million.

“Based on the success of the program, Senate Bill 2825 of the 2021 Legislative Session earmarked $89 million of Highway Infrastructure Program funds received by MDOT pursuant to the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 for the Emergency Road & Bridge Repair Program. In accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 65-1-179 and rules and regulations established by the Department, MDOT will administer the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund for emergency repairs to public roads and bridges,” the website stated.

Supervisors also approved the following:

• accounts payable docket with Chancery items only
• accounts payable docket with regular items only
• payroll docket with Chancery items only
• payroll docket with regular items only
• payment of three invoices to Warren Paving totaling $41,094.33 for District 3, to be paid out of the Senate Bill 3049 account
• the meal count sheet for Week 30 and Week 31
• board minutes form May 2 meeting
• request from the Chancery clerk to approve the purchase of new board minute sofware system from DuProcess in the amount of $18,500 (by way of the lowest bid), plus monthly support and backup services; the funds come out of the board’s fund
• advertising with a half-page in the Brookhaven Daily Leader publications of “Graduation 2022,” “Salute to Law Enforcement” and 39601 Magazine, which is placed in a multitude of areas for newcomers to the area

Supervisors withheld approval for reimbursement of personal funds to a county employee who bought meals for workers. They chose to wait until the next meeting, May 16, when County Attorney Will Allen can advise them on the correct procedure about reimbursement.

Nolan Williamson and the Rev. Jerry Wilson were absent from the meeting.