Elliott and Britt sole bidder for engineering

The design of the new sewer expansion to handle sewer from an old subdivision on the south side of Highway 72 will be done by Elliott and Britt Engineers.

The company was the sole bidder for the project design, which will carry sewer via a lift station to the Marshall County sewer system nearby.

The county is seeking a grant from

state and federal funds to help pay for the sewer extension. The old lagoon that handled household sewage has filled in over the last 80 years. The lagoon system predated zoning ordinances.

Following the selection of E & B, the board approved a resolution to apply for the sewer grant through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. Federal, state and local funds from the American Rescue Plan Act will be used to pay for the project, if approved.

A solid waste agreement between the county and Team Waste and Waste Connections removes a clause in an agreement that the companies would pave a private road running beside the Quad County Landfill.

Andrew Densing and Wally Carter met with the board of supervisors to amend the county's 20-year solid waste plan, which will allow the company to expand the current landfill, essentially extending the life of the landfill for 20 more years.

An agreement to modify the agreement then allows the permit to go to the state commission and then on to the permit board, said Carter.

Attorney Amanda Whaley Smith expressed concern that releasing the paving requirement for part of the roadway could cause a problem with the permitting process.

“I do not think it will be a problem and I don't think the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) has an issue,” Smith said.

Both entities have to sign off on the agreement at the first board meeting in January, she said.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn III asked if any other properties are on the private road going to the landfill.

“For permitting, they have to have an address in Mississippi,” said District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor. “I felt it would be a road that the taxpayers will not have to help pay for.”

“It's a private road,” Smith said.

“It's up to the landowners to pave the road,” Taylor said. “It will stay open on the Mississippi side.” Smith said IDA will have to ask for a special exception.

“It's not a county road, it's a private drive into their facility,” she said.

“Someday it may be, but we don't have to keep it up,” Taylor said.

“It is to be graveled and maintained,” said District 1 supervisor Charles Terry.

“It's not around any houses,” Taylor said.

With discussion concluded, Taylor made a motion to not require Team Waste to pave the road. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the board of supervisors.

The board approved a motion to appoint Jerry Moore and Dr. Carrie Skelton, Marshall County superintendent of education, to the Northwest Community College board of directors. Skelton replaces Chuck Thomas, who recently resigned as chancery clerk, thus becoming ineligible to continue serving on the Northwest board.

Some appointments to the board of directors of the Northeast Mississippi Planning and Development District were made.

Charles Terry was appointed as a member of the board of supervisors to the NEMPDD board. He replaces the position held by the late District 2 supervisor Eddie Dixon. Maxine Dixon asked not to be appointed to the board of directors.

Chuck Thomas was serving on the loan committee as a small business owner. He was replaced by county road manager Mario Jeffries. R. C. Anderson will continue to serve as a minority small business owner. The latter two appointments do not have to be elected officials.

The pay date for the last check of the year for county workers was not approved to be changed to an early pay date.

Taylor made a motion to pay employees a week early as some employees requested and as was done at the Thanksgiving holiday.

But chancery clerk Nicole Phelps argued against paying employees a week early.

“I'm not fond of it, and Monet (circuit clerk Monet Autry) is not,” Phelps said. “I just got through the Dec. 15 payroll so I have to do time sheets that Monday to get to the bank Thursday. So I don't have time to get the payroll ready early.”

Phelps said if any employee was paid early, then did not work the rest of the month, or was fired, it would be a problem to reconcile.

“I would have to go back if people don't show up for work for days they got paid for,” she said.

“I don't think it should have been done Thanksgiving because it was not approved,” Taylor said.

“If someone quits or has to be terminated, you are looking at payout of taxpayer dollars,” said Smith.

“My point was to show them I support it, but I didn't think it was legal Thanksgiving,” Taylor said.

“The best way is to keep that can (of worms) closed and don't open it,” said District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett.

“I would like to get clarification on Dec. 30 for New Year's (holiday),” Phelps continued. “So I don't think we can legally be closed.”

Smith said the governor's proclamation of Monday, Jan. 2, as the day to celebrate New Year's stands.

“I don't think it is a good idea,” she said. “You have to have the offices open at the courthouse in case an attorney comes in. You can stagger time off for employees. But shutting down is not a good idea. We have to keep the offices open. Legally you can't give them that day technically. It is likely to draw attention from the auditor's office. I'm telling you, legally, I don't think from the auditor's office (standpoint) you can do it.”

County administrator Tim Powell said employees can take off by statute or by the governor's proclamation.

“It is the only way you can take off,” he said.

“I don't think it is legal,” Smith said. “The minutes should reflect the clerk brought up the issue and I gave my recommendation.”

So the legal holidays were Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26, for Christmas vacation. New Year's vacation was Monday, Jan. 2.

Supervisors Maxine Dixon and Keith Taylor made a motion to give their $1,500 allotment to Byers School to purchase a shooting machine for the girls basketball teams.