Tuesday, the Poplarville Board of Aldermen heard a presentation from Jamie Taylor with Clayton E. Johnson Insurance Services, Inc. regarding employee medical insurance renewal rates.
The cost per employee under the city’s current insurance plan is $508.03 and there are 24 employees currently insured, Taylor said. If the board decides to keep their current plan, the cost per employee rises to $534.81.
Taylor presented the board with a number of health care options. However, she said a five percent increase in the city’s current plan appears to be the most justifiable move for the board.
Taylor also discussed dental renewal plans. The current rate per employee is $26.24. If the board decides to renew their current plan, the cost would be $27.29.
Although the amount taken from an employee’s check varies, Alderwoman Shirley Wiltshire said about one-third or one-fourth of health insurance costs are paid for by the employee.
The board voted to take the matter under advisement and will solicit input from current employees regarding their thoughts on the current health insurance plan.
In another matter, Poplaville Public Works Director Sam Hale gave the board an update regarding splash pad construction.
“I spoke to the project manager today and he said they are trying their best to start the splash pad on Monday, June 22,” Hale said.
Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise said, to his knowledge after speaking with the project manager, the above ground features are not ready and they are not hopeful for a July 4th opening.
“The best case scenario for an opening would be between July 4th and July 18,” Necaise said. “If they get here Monday, it will give us the head start on getting the concrete painted and the sod planted around the edges of the splash pad.”

In other action the board:
–– Approved the hiring of three part-time firefighters including Kayla Thigpen, Jared Trumbach and Anthony McGee.
–– Approved travel expenses for Al Tynes to attend the Mississippi D.A.R.E. conference in Biloxi to be held July 20 through 24.
–– Approved a special event request from the Pearl River County Amateur Radio Club to hold a picnic at the gazebo on September 19.
–– Heard from Senate District 47 Senatorial candidate Rogena Mitchell. She is a business development and marketing professional and said she sees a lot of value in the district.
“We’ve got the Hwy. 49 and Hwy. 59 corridors and we are not nearly maximizing the full potential of that,” Mitchell said. “If you’re going to North Mississippi, the Gulf Coast or New Orleans, you’ve got to pass through District 47 and we’ve got to capture that tax dollar when they pass through. I’ve got a passion to bring this area to the next level.”
Necaise said meetings are open to any candidate who wishes to address the board.
The next Poplarville Board of Aldermen meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 7 at 5 p.m. in the boardroom at City Hall.