Election readiness discussed
Circuit clerk Monet Autry discussed reasons for moving a precinct from a church back to a county fire department at the January 20 meeting of the Marshall County Board of Supervisors.
Her office is in charge of getting ready for elections.
She said she doesn’t have a lot of information on moving the precinct from the church but the reasons have to be specified in the board minutes as to why the precinct is being moved from the church back to county property.
“Because it is a federal election,” she said. “Work needed to be done on the church, issues with the building.”
District 1 supervisor Goston Glover said there was a lot of mold in the church.
“The supervisors are doing a real good job,” he said, adding that the election primaries are set for March 10.
The move has to run in the paper for three consecutive weeks as a legal notice, Glover said.
County administrator Tim Powell said money has to be found to build an accessibility ramp at the Barton Fire Department precinct.
“Where can we get money?” he asked.
Autry said the improvements have to be paid by the county, that money from the state to hold elections cannot be used to upgrade a precinct.
“The county does not own the building in Barton,” Autry said.”So, we can’t use election funds for it.” She said she does not know if the county funds can be used for a ramp at Barton.
“The same is for the church at Red Banks United Methodist Church,” she said. “I will make sure.” The sound system in the courtroom at the courthouse was brought up again.
Autry said the microphones work. County information technology guru Terry Byrd was to move the old phone system at the old jail to outfit the tax offices and the courthouse.
He had to stop because of court, she said.
Powell said Byrd is circling back to get the monitors in place in the courtroom.
“It’s been a year,” said District 5 supervisor Ronnie O’Neil Bennett. “We could have already has this contracted out.”
Autry said there were several trials in February. The microphones work but the monitors can’t be seen by the jury, she said.
Powell said the county has until February 2 to get the work completed.
He presented two quotes for a Knuckle Boom truck.
Rover City Hydraulics quote was for $216,272 and Tri-State Truck Center bid $210,445.
A single axle dump truck bid from ARIA CSS was for $143,177, Peterbilt bid $129,212, and Tri-State Truck Center bid $210,455.
Two firemen asked to go to EMT basic training, Powell said.
“They would be certified and they could ride anywhere and perform life safety measures before the ambulance gets there,” Powell said. “Being as rural as we are, it’s an added benefit. The vast majority of firemen are already EMT certified. Because of the status of being a rural county, we need to take action before the ambulance arrives.”
The board approved the measure.
Powell asked for approval to apply to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for $29,252 for solid waste grants.
The board approved a motion to apply for the solid waste grant and to proceed with construction of Medic Station #1.
Road manager Mario Jeffries asked to prepare a school bus turnaround and to declare a 2003 GMC 1500 surplus and sell at auction.
Board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith said she had two economic development issues to discuss in executive session, a property acquisition and two litigations.