During Tuesday’s meeting of the Poplarville Board of Aldermen, the city’s prosecuting attorney’s request to hire a second public defender.

The Board considered the request from City Prosecuting Attorney Corey Clay Cranford to appoint another public defender, who will assist current public defender Kevin R. Roberts.

After discussing the matter, the Board approved a motion to appoint Lindsay Watts as co-public defender at $345 per month.

In other matters, Police Chief Butch Raby asked the Board for permission to put $300 in the Poplarville Auxiliary Fund that was donated to the Department by the Blueberry Jubilee Council.

The Board approved the adoption of the state-mandated mileage reimbursement for 2018, which requires officers and government employees using their personal vehicle for official business to be reimbursed at a rate of $0.545 per mile. 

The mileage reimbursement rate became effective Jan. 1.

The next Board meeting will be Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. in Poplarville’s City Hall.