The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors said they are determined to stick to the budget they set in September by being careful when making purchasing decisions.

In accordance with previous discussions, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department requested approval to purchase two transport vehicles for the jail, eight patrol vehicles and two trucks.

Board President Sandy Kane Smith said the Board budgeted $60,000 to purchase the patrol vehicles, but “this would put us over budget the next few years.”

The eight patrol vehicles, Ford Interceptors, and two trucks, would cost the county $77,000 a year, for four years or $64,000 for five years, County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin said.

The cost to purchase the patrol cars at two percent financing over four years is $61,068, Lumpkin said.

Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said the trucks were needed for narcotics and investigations units whose current vehicles have “well over 200,000 miles.”

Several members of the Board expressed concern over the additional cost for the trucks.

“Where is the money going to come from?” Board Vice President Hudson Holliday asked.

“When you spend 12 hours in a piece of garbage car, you just want to set it on fire and go home,” District IV Supervisor Farron Moeller said. “There are a lot of trucks owned by the county…you can call me anytime and we can come pick it up.”

Moeller recommended the Board purchase the eight patrol cars and stay on budget.

“I probably fussed over people staying in their budget more than anyone else here,” District II Supervisor Malcolm Perry said. “If we approve the cars, then work on another plan to get the trucks and see how we can come up with the money…It’s a need, it’s not a want.”

The Board unanimously approved the motion to purchase eight patrol cars.

The transport vans for the jail cost $13,000 a year and are paid for from a separate fund, Lumpkin said.

“There’s money to cover that,” he said.

The Board approved the request to purchase two transport vans at that cost.

The Board also approved housing reimbursement totaling over $100,000 to the Mississippi Department of Corrections for August and September.

State Senator Mike Seymour briefed the Board on several legislative matters he said were of interest to the county including Senate Bill 2755, which Seymour said prevents digging more than 24 inches without a permit—on public or private lands—which impacts a number of projects including the addition of stop signs.

Seymour also discussed the breakout of Child Protective Services from the Department of Human Services.

Judge Dawn Beam is working on a program to give temporary care back to family members so a child’s emotional trauma is reduced, Seymour said.

Seymour also discussed Mississippi Development Authority grant applications, rural fire truck funding, BP money and state and county funded counseling services in family court.

In other news, the Board:

• Was updated on the repair to the sinkhole on Main Street in Poplarville which is about 50 percent complete and awaiting paving.
• Approved a grant application for replacing the bridge on Walkiah Bluff Road, which is eligible for state aid funds.
• Discussed the addition of several stop signs to increase safety on county roads.

See tomorrow’s Item for more information from Monday’s Board meeting. The next meeting will be held Nov. 21 at 9 a.m.