The Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors met for the first meeting of the month Monday morning at the board room in Prentiss. The meeting opened with prayer by Rev. Jessie Holloway before the minutes were approved.

Jefferson Davis County Economic Development Director Gary Bass gave updated the board with his current planning efforts and recents developments.

Bass is working on a possible ‘anchor’ business to be constructed along Highway 84. He also has plans for an EV Charging Station to be placed inside the old service station adjacent to the courthouse. Bass has made an effort to fill every empty factory building in Jefferson Davis County. There is one remaining on main street in Bassfield that he is currently trying to fill.

The agenda item for discussion and/or approval of hiring outside auditor for fiscal year 2022 audit was tabled.

The board discussed county clean-up for month of March and put in an order for supplies.

Approved process of abandonment of Rolling B Farm Lane in District 5.

In other board news, the board approved the following without opposition:

• Approved board president signing Notification of intent to apply for Federal Assistance – Five County Child Development Program.

• Approved board signing letter of support to Five County Community Transportation.

• Approved board president signing EMPG County Application Work Plan.

• Approved public records request from SmartProcure for purchase orders.

• Approved spreading into the minutes Certification of Election Commissioners election for Districts 2 and 4.

• Approved advertising for broom sweeper for District 2.

• Approved purchase of a patrol vehicle from state contract for Sheriff Department.

• Approved employment action forms for Districts 2 and 3.

• Approved employees attending meetings and conventions.

• Approved rescinding Supervisor Rushing attending NaCo Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.

• Approved deleting from inventory and offering for sale for District 3:Asset #258, 2003 F150 Ford truck; Asset #276, 930 Caterpillar wheel loader;  Asset #281, 120 Caterpillar motor grader and Asset #1973, 1995 Ford dump truck with nine yard dump body.

• Approved refund from tax sale office – 2021.

• Approved payment #3 to Magco for ERBR LSBP-33(20) Sam Graham Rd – $230,945.19.

• Approved payment of invoices for county paving project in District 3 being paid from the 2022 Local Improvement and discussion of funds to Southern Paving for $155,290.60 and Dungan Engineering for $9,710.00.

• Approved payment to Trustmark for road construction loan.

• Approved board president signing Report of Funds and approve payment to Rails to Trails.

• Approved mileage reimbursement for calendar year 2023 – $0.655.

• Approved request from maintenance to move thermostat from office to open area.

• Approved claims.