The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday to discuss updates on continuing county projects.

The Board approved a request from Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison to accept a $5,000 Justice Assistance Grant to be used for equipment purchases.

The Board thanked Allison and the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department for their work in arresting three suspects linked to vandalism at the new park on Liberty Road.

Allison stated that the department was able to find for the vandalism suspects after asking for help from the community on Facebook.

County Engineer Les Dungan also spoke about the new park on Liberty Road.

“It looks like we’ll be able to close the project on time,” said Dungan.

All the park is lacking is a rules sign and a posting about the grant that funded the park’s construction, said Dungan.

Dungan also updated the Board on progress with securing right of way easement for replacement of the Savannah Millard Bridge.

After the merger of Weyerhaeuser, who owns the land, and Plum Creek in February, the agreement with the county had been delayed, said Dungan.

Dungan asked for approval from Board President Sandy Kane Smith to sign the agreement, pending discussion with Board Attorney Joe Montgomery.

The new agreement asked for some changes in the language and will allow for about 2.5 acres of land to be purchased by the county for $9,000, said Dungan.

Once the easement agreement is finalized, said Dungan, federal funding can be allocated.

Dungan also said that the assessment of county roads is complete and next year’s budget has been drafted. The Board set up a workshop to discuss the county’s road budget later that day.

District II Supervisor Malcolm Perry suggested the Board set up regular meetings with the county engineer once a month to keep all Board members informed of ongoing and upcoming projects.

Charlie Schielder, the county road manager, requested approval to close B.A. Kincaid Road after it was abandoned by the county.

The road only serviced two landowners and closing it would benefit the taxpayers, said Schielder.

The Board approved the request.

The Derby Volunteer Fire Department also submitted a request to the county road department to reshape their gravel driveway to prevent flooding.

Schielder said the road department would be able to use the fire department’s existing gravel, thereby eliminating the cost of new materials.

District IV Supervisor Farron Moeller also commended Scheilder and the county road department for their quick response to repair a sinkhole on Ceasar Road last week.

Moeller said the crew worked well into the night to make sure the road would be safe for the weekend.

The Board also approved a quote of about $7,000 to update restrooms and air conditioning units at the Fairgrounds because it was the lowest bid for the project.

County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin updated the Board on upcoming renovations to the county courthouse.

New state laws regarding historical buildings mean that contractors will have to submit proposals and qualifications by July 28 that will then be considered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History on July 19. At that meeting, members will score contractors according to certain specifications and will then decide which candidates qualify to submit a formal bid to the Board of Supervisors, said Lumpkin.

After that process, the Board will award the project, hopefully by September, said Lumpkin.

The Board passed a motion to acknowledge advertising for project contractors.

Before adjourning, the Board heard two proposals for a new county-wide phone system to replace the 15-17 year-old setup. More information about the proposals will be covered in a future edition of the Item.