The Jefferson Davis Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning for the second February meeting. District 3 Supervisor Demarrio Booth offered prayer before the meeting was called to order and the agenda was approved.

LaTonya Ramsey-Chandler of the MSU Extension Office gave an office update and announced to the board that she has been named the Extension County Coordinator for Jefferson Davis County.

She was promoted to that position after the retirement of Thomas Brewer. Ramsey-Chandler will continue to carry out the logistical activities of the county including 4-H, with the exception of livestock and shooting sports, and all health and wellness with the exception of nutrition, which will be handled by Pam Johnson.

Kelsea Brown will continue the day-to-day office operations.

There will be a retirement reception honoring Brewer at the Ezra Garner Building Feb. 25 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.

MDOT District 7 Construction Engineer Jordan Wittington and JDC County Engineer Les Dungan discussed the closure of Highway 184 at Granby Road with the board. Dungan expressed concerns regarding the lengthy closure of that road and asked Wittington for several possible solutions for the citizens that live in that area.

The project is contracted for 197 working days which will take approximately a year to complete.

“One of our biggest concerns with this project is the lack of an on-site detour,” said Dungan.

Dungan made a request to MDOT to make a temporary connection from Highway 184 to Highway 84. to the four-lane.

“The cost of a detour is not something we can absorb, and we are not going to tie into Highway 84 for safety and access management issues,” said Wittington. “Obviously any kind of connection there is an issue that we don’t want to look at,” he said.

Dungan then made a request for any assistance MDOT could offer to help the county with detour routes.

For example, Polk Oatis Road is one of the optional detours that will require maintenance and damage repair due to increased traffic. When asked if there was any help available to the county in that situation, Wittington replied, “Not that I know of.”

District 4 Supervisor Michael Evans lives in the first house on Granby Road and is extremely concerned about his neighbors and constituents in the community.  “I am thankful the bridge is going to be replaced, but my concern is about the people and their safety,” said Evans.

The board also expressed concern with accessibility of firetrucks, ambulances and first responders in the event of an emergency and will continue to seek a safer solution for the residents in the area.

The road will be closed shortly after the Notice to Proceed is posted on March 14.

The project will replace the bridge, resurface the roadway and widen the turn at Granby Road.

Once complete, MDOT will turn that section of the road back over to the county for maintenance.

Dungan also reported the State Aid Project on McPhail Road will begin soon and will repair 1,100 feet of roadway damaged during the April 2020 tornadoes.

The board entered into a discussion regarding the county fire coordinator position that has recently come available after the retirement of George Griffith. The board will conduct interviews Wednesday morning for the position prior to making its decision regarding Griffith’s replacement.

Board accountant Cathy Slocum attorney Wes Daughdrill gave their monthly reports.

In other board news, the board approved the following without opposition before recessing until Wednesday morning:

Approved minutes

Approved rescinding RJ Young copier contract and requesting a new contract.

Approved spreading into the Minutes Standard Rental Service Agreement with Cintas.

Approved payment of $937.98 to Ashley Hawthorne for wheel and tire repair caused by pothole in District 4.

Approved lengthening Reggie Magee Lane in District 4.

Approved quote for excavator for $74, 987 to Lee Tractor for District 1.

Approved request from the Town of Prentiss for yearly funding of Price Ball Field for $13,500.

Approved Employee Action Forms for District 2 and District 3.

Approved spreading into the Minutes Employee Action Forms for the Sheriff’s Department.

Approved employees attending meetings and conventions.

Approved payment of invoices to: Dungan Engineering for countywide patching and leveling in District 2 for $4,600.00, courthouse improvements for $21,700.00 and Sam Graham Road project for $7,349.82 and to AAA Contracting & Construction for countywide paving project for $42,946.16 in District 2.

Approved use of credit card for purchase of part in District 5.

Approved Credit Card Report for January and payment of the same.

Approved overage on purchase order for Sheriff’s Department for two gallons gasoline for $4.99.

Approved claims.