County Administrator Daniel Calcote told supervisors Monday that the county is about 42 percent of the way through the year, with 59 percent budget spent and about 50 percent of budgeted total in hand. March was a big month for receiving county funds, he said, and they still continue to come in, helping to balance all the district’s books.

Jennifer Williams of the Extension Service spoke to supervisors about the county hiring a new horticulture and road crop extension agent using rearranged funds from the discontinuation of particular job that is not going to be filled. Supervisors approved the measure.

Sheriff Steve Rushing received approval to give constables the ability to deliver tax motions and Emergency Management Director Chris Reid received permission to lift the two-week burn ban that has been in effect. Reid also reported that he had received four volunteer fire department accounts and found all in good order. He said he’s awaiting the final four department reports.

Tax Assessor and Collector Blake Pickering reported several instances of refunds necessary after a thorough review of some conflicting accounts in the tax books. Supervisors approved these refunds.

County Engineer Ryan Holmes received approval from supervisors for approvals for relocation of utilities by Sparklight Internet and the city on Brignall Road. He also reported that the efforts to replace the bridge on Pleasant Ridge Road are ongoing: the environmental report is complete, as are the first set of plans. The archaeological study has been completed and “we hope to be digging by August,” he said.

Holmes reported that TL Wallace had finally got the striping down on the newly paved roads they completed and District 4 Supervisor Eddie Brown said their next step should be to take care of the shoulders of the road, which are growing up.

District 5’s Nolan Williamson asked the board to approve culvert installations on Jackson-Liberty Road and on Peyton Lane, which supervisors did.

In other news, supervisors approved the following:

• personnel report for Justice Court
• meal count sheet for Week 23
• a professional services agreement with Advanced Environmental Consultants Inc. for asbestos/lead-based paint services for HOME Grant projects
• an engagement letter with CPA Bethany Stringer to prepare the financial statement compilation for Fiscal Year 2020. Calcote said an auditor was finishing up the 2019 audit then sending it on to the state before they begin the 2020 audit.
• renewal of property and liability insurance with MASIT for $284,180.72 a year, which is almost $24,000 more than last year, but still the cheapest rate they could get due to properly values
• transfer of $15,980 from the general fund to the CDBG Fund for the county’s matching portion of invoices paid for the AITX rail spur CDBG project
• travel for the supervisors and county administrator to attend the 2022 MAS Convention in Biloxi June 13-16
• travel for the chancery clerk and county administrator to attend the Mississippi State Extension Service Educational Workshop in Flowood May 4-5
• the sharing of costs for the District 4 butane tank at the district’s barn – District 4 would pay half and the other supervisors would pay the rest equally