POPLARVILLE —
City attorney Martin T. Smith told the board of aldermen on Tuesday that county attorney Joe Montgomery had told him that the board of supervisors had agreed to a proposal by the board of aldermen that the City of Poplarville be charged only $20 per day per prisoner for housing city prisoners in the county prison at Millard.
Smith told the board that the figure would be inserted into what is called an inter-governmental agreement between Poplarville and the county, that will see the City of Poplarville charged for housing prisoners in the county facility at Millard on a per diem basis. Previously, the city didn’t pay anything for the service.
The county moved to force Poplarville to pay the fee after wrestling with a tight 2012-13 county budget, and facing a shortfall in funding for last year’s budget. Attorney General opinions produced by negotiators said the county had the authority to charge for holding city prisoners in the county jail.
The county prison makes up a large portion of the county sheriff’s department budget.
After the agreement is tweaked by attorneys for the county and city, it will be signed by Mayor Billy Spiers and will go into effect. A copy of it will be submitted to the Attorney General’s office in Jackson for information purposes and review.
The board of aldermen had rejected earlier attempts by supervisors to force the city to pay a per diem for holding city prisoners in the county jail, saying that the city already pays county taxes and an additional charge would be what aldermen Bill Winborn and Dr. John A. Grant, Jr., called “double-dipping.”
However, alderman Byron Wells said even if the city had to pay the county a per diem, it would be cheaper than having to build a city jail and house and maintain their own prisoners.
The county first proposed to charge the county $30 per day per prisoner, but in an agreement hammered out by the board of aldermen and proposed to supervisors, the board of aldermen told supervisors that they would pay $30 a day, but would prefer that the board charge only $20 per day per prisoner, the same charged for holding state prisoners.
The county collects $45 per day per prisoner for holding federal prisoners at what is actually a small prison system maintained at Millard in central Pearl River County, run by the sheriff’s department.
Smith told the board that Montgomery told him the board of supervisors was amenable to $20 per day.
Smith said that after the agreement is completely drawn up, Mayor Spiers will sign it, and a copy will go to the AG’s office.
Smith recommended the board rescind the last agreement it adopted on the matter, because it did not have a specific per diem amount, and adopt the revised agreement which specified the $20 per diem. Aldermen unanimously took that action.
Under the agreement the county would be responsible for feeding the city prisoners and the City of Poplarville would be responsible for any medical bills charged to the city inmates.
Aldermen said that research on the issue showed that the per diem charged by the county will cost the city an estimated additional $7,000 to $8,000 annually to its city budget.
After zipping through a 13-item agenda, the board recessed to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Local News
Poplarville will pay county $20 a day per prisoner
- Local News
-
-
WAR MEMORIAL
Work on the Veteran’s Memorial Walk in front of the Pearl River County Courthouse is underway. The brick walkway around the historical marker is coordinated by the Poplarville Rotary Club, Poplarville Area Chamber of Commerce and Pearl River Community College. The walkway is to honor local veterans.
-
Man wants pay for snakes seized in Miss. porn case
A man serving 30 years after pleading guilty to enticing a teenager to pose for pornographic pictures with venomous snakes has filed a federal lawsuit seeking compensation for the loss of his reptiles.
-
Highland Commons awaits reissue of permits
The Highland Commons Parkway leads to the woods.
Discussion of this project began four years ago, and its purpose is to expedite traffic to Highland Hospital from the interstate, but the road comes to a dead end in front of the Trinity United Methodist Church. -
Primary runoff election is today
In the only race left with more than one candidate, Council Precinct One, have incumbent Larry E. Watkins and Tammy Valente meeting in the second primary election today.
-
Wildcats tring to win Region 23 title
Host Pearl River opened Region 23 Tournament play in dominating fashion here Thursday in Wildcat Stadium, demolishing top-seeded East Central 12-1 in eight innings and now faces second-seeded LSU-Eunice (La.) in Friday’s second round at 7 p.m.
-
Veterans honored for Armed Forces Day
In observance of United States Armed Forces Day, Picayune Memorial High School hosted the annual Jerry “Chip” Burge Jr. Memorial Armed Forces Reception on Friday.
-
Katrina taught Poplarville valuable lessons
The Pop-larville area learned valuable lessons in disaster readiness from hurricane Katrina in 2005, and those lessons led to improvements which provide a greater measure of security for local residents.
-
Help senior citizens in your family or neighborhood with advance planning
According to the United States Census Bureau, 15.1 percent of the population in Pearl River County is 65 years old or older.
-
Tchnology can speed emergency response
Recent national tragedies have reminded us once again how important it is to stay in touch with loved ones and emergency response officials for breaking news. Being technology-ready before disaster strikes is critical to saving lives, connecting friends and family, and assisting first responders.
I -
Boil water notice lifted
Center Water has lifted a “boil water notice” for customers living on Hilltop Dr. and Green Meadow Drive.
Water tests indicate that water is safe to drink. - More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
