The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors voted to continue funding the Victims of Crime Act under the 15th District Attorney’s office.
Jeff Caillouet, the victim assistance coordinator for the DA’s office, spoke to the Board Monday on behalf of the program.
He asked the Board to continue the 20 percent match as required under the $164,000 federal grant.
However, Lamar County agreed to match half of the requested 20 percent, Caillouet said, so the Board would only have to contribute about $16,000.
The grant funds two victim service positions as well as equipment and travel, Calliouet said. The Board approved the requests.
The Board also approved a biannual grant application to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin said the county normally receives two $2,000 grants per year and uses the funds to hold a hazardous waste disposal day.
A date for the next disposal effort has not been set, but Lumpkin said he expects it to be held this fall.
In a separate matter, the Board voted to set aside $1,000 of the annual budget to advertise county resources.
District I Supervisor Donald Hart said he had the opportunity to attend the state’s bicentennial celebration over the weekend with employees of the city of Picayune.
While Picayune was able to pass out promotional material like brochures, pens and balloons, Hart said the county lacked a public relations presence.
With the newly allocated funds, the Board discussed getting promotional material together in time for the Senior Fair and Expo on June 3 at Picayune Memorial High School.
The Board also voted to send an invoice to the Pearl River Water Association for damages incurred on Henleyfield McNeill Road in front of the McNeill Volunteer Fire Department.
County Road Manager Charlie Schielder said the water association dug up a water line in front of the fire station, but did not repair the section of road damaged by the repair.
Board President Sandy Kane Smith said that in his three terms as supervisor, the water association has never worked with the county.
“If they don’t do it, we’ll sue them,” Smith said in regard to the road repairs.
Lumpkin said the county has offered to help with material costs in the past, but the water association has been unresponsive.
In other news, the Board:
– Approved final payments for three county engineering projects.
– Approved the lease of two vehicles on state contract for the Pearl River County Tax Assessor’s office to be used for reappraisals.
– Appointed Lindsey Watts as assistant public defender for the Pearl River County Circuit Court.
The Board is holding another town hall meeting on Thursday, April 6 at 6 p.m. at the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library in Picayune. Everyone is invited.
The Pick up Pearl River County event has been rescheduled for April 22 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The next Board meeting will be held April 19 at 9 a.m. in the Boardroom.