BROOKHAVEN — Lincoln County residents are represented by a lawyer, nurse and a farmer in Jackson and the three spoke to the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2024. They each gave their perspective on the upcoming 2025 legislative session which will start in January. 

As usual, Sen. Jason Barrett and Rep. Becky Currie spoke before Vince Mangold got up to the lectern. Mangold thanked the board for allowing them to be there. He quipped Barrett and Currie had spoken about everything already. 

He stated he plans to file a bill regarding the proper labeling of meat so consumers know what they are eating. He added that with the discussions of tax cuts any plans should not affect city and county governments. 

District 3 Supervisor John David Hart asked Mangold and the legislators to watch out for any unfunded mandates which are handed down to the county. For example, one mandate allowed for heavier weight limits on the roads but didn’t include funding to fix them. 

District 4 Supervisor Eli Ferguson asked Mangold about poultry producers and the fallout of an increased tax levy on chicken houses. Since 2009, chicken houses have been taxed at the same percentage but had a 100 percent increase for 2025. 

“They are trying to figure out how to protect and not cost the poultry growers. There isn’t a lot of money there. They are trying to figure out a way to protect it and then not hurt the counties with less tax money,” Mangold said.

The issue was not something Lincoln County could correct. Tax Assessor/Collector Blake Pickering stated the problem is rooted in assessment which came from the state. 

Mangold said the problem was discovered when the tax assessor Greene County assessed chicken houses and apparently had chicken houses of his own. 

“We looked at it. That is what started that conversation. We are trying to find out the best way to handle things,” Mangold said. “We haven’t seen a way where the county can fix the issue

It is not a county issue. It is a work in progress. They are trying to figure out a way to help the farmers and keep the counties in good shape.”

District 3 Supervisor John David Hart asked the legislators if there was any way to regulate insurance rates. In Mississippi, vehicle owners are required to have insurance and while the auto insurance industry is a free market all of the rates are high, Hart said. 

Mangold said they would ask questions in the 2025 legislative session. 

Lincoln County Engineer Ryan Holmes told a clever joke as he addressed the legislators. He told them it is not often you can feel the effects of money. The chilly board room is evidence of ongoing work to replace and improve the courthouse’s heating systems. 

“You can feel it today. You gave this county money to renovate our HVAC system in the courthouse. Thank you,” Holmes said.

He further updated the legislators on the need for more funding to maintain roads in Lincoln County. Primarily state aid roads like Auburn and Jackson Liberty are in dire need of repair. Lincoln County typically receives $4 million every four years for state aid roads which does not go far enough.

“They are close to failing. They are in bad shape. Lincoln County gets $4 million to work on state aid roads for the entire county,” Holmes said. “We have just five roads. 150 miles of road is funded by the state and aren’t getting the attention they need. Money doesn’t go as far. Formulas are old. We are the second lowest in the nation for fuel tax.”

District 5 Supervisor Doug Falvey and District 4 Eli Ferguson thanked the legislators again for coming to meet with them. 

“We are as cohesive as we have ever been. We are trying to make progress and if the state helps us I think we will continue to make progress,” Ferguson said. 

Falvey agreed the atmosphere of the board has changed. 

“We are here to improve the county and the state,” Falvey said.