Supervisors talk roads and bridges
County Engineer Larry Britt is working closely with supervisors to make progress on the repair of several roads and bridges. He reported on projects under his wings to the April 20 meeting of the Marshall County Board of Supervisors.
He also reported progress on Project Poppy projects and presented pay requests.
The board approved pay request #5 from Cleveland Construction on Poppy Phase 2b for $188,570 for work on a water treatment plant. Treatment plants process water from raw sources to make it potable.
Pay request # 4 from T.J. Construction for $200,164 for Phase 8 for a gas line at Poppy was approved.
Britt reminded the board to put in its list for projects it wants done on the State Aid program.
Supervisors discussed two bridges on McCauley Road that are closed due to the condition of bridges.
Travelers are having to take French Road to get out, according to District 5 Supervisor Ronnie O’Neil Bennett.
District 3 Supervisor Terry Rodgers said heavy trucks are running over a bridge closed on Highway 178 between Victoria and Byhalia. The bridge is not scheduled by the Mississippi Department of Transportation to be rebuilt until 2028, he said.
County Attorney Amanda Whaley Smith said the French Road repair project is awaiting an appraisal of right-of-way needed to finish the French Road Bridge repair. The county cannot QuickTake the properties without an appraisal, she said.
Britt said McCauley bridge is a State Aid bridge and the county still has to get the rightof-way until the plans are approved.
District 4 Supervisor George Zinn III asked if there is anything that can be done to make the McCauley Road bridges safe for small vehicles such as pickups and cars.
Britt said the bridge is a sagging old railroad car bridge not rated at over six tons in the beginning. The bridge could be worked on to raise it back up, he said.
Road Manager Mario Jeffries said the project would have to be bid out.
Britt said the county can take quotes if the repair cost under $75,000, otherwise bids would have to be taken.
Zinn asked it the county could post the weight limits on the bridge.
“You put signs and they are still going to go through,” said District 2 Supervisor Johnny Walker.
Britt said every time he goes to check on the McCauley Road bridge, the barricades have been moved.
“You need a beam to cap it and get pilings,” Britt said.
District 1 Supervisor Grant Glover asked for school bus turnarounds on 78 Bonnie Ridge Cove be graveled again. The board approved the measure.
Chancery Court report
Nicole Phelps, Chancery Clerk, presented credit card statements to be spread on the minutes. She presented a year-old invoice from Davis Wrecker Service for $925 to be paid for impounding a seized vehicle. Investigator Charles Powell presented an invoice for $2,922 from R.V. Service Center to help outfit a mobile command center for emergency use by the Sheriff’s Department. Personnel Administrator Larry Rankin said an awning is being purchased for the trailer and the Sheriff’s Department will make modifications of the interior. The mobile command center can be used by investigations and by building and grounds. Phelps said the election commissioners have completed training and received certificates. The board approved claims for $946,433. County Administrator’s Re-
port Tim Powell said an ARC grant for wastewater treatment expansion has been paid through a grant handled by the Industrial Development Authority. Paperwork needed to be updated. The county submitted a grant through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Authority for waste tires. The grant pays a portion of the salary of an employee. Emergency Management Director Jason Motz will undergo training for an EMSOF grant proposal, he said. The Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund (EMSOF) is a Mississippi state funded grant program designed to support local EMS programs, including training, education for EMTs/paramedics, and equipment, distributed to counties and municipalities based on population. Eligible governmental units apply yearly to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services to receive these funds, intended to complement, not replace, existing budgets.
Helen Childress, Justice Court Clerk, was approved for travel for mandatory judicial college conference training.
The board approved a payment of $215,715 to Grinder Tabor & Grinder for work on Medic Station # 1.
The 2024 audit is completed and was spread on the minutes.
Powell said a final pass for Debris Tech was approved for completion in two to three works.
Debris Tech takes specific roads reported by the Road Department to go over and does not pick up on state roads.
The company is working with one bucket truck and 10 haul trucks operated by Looks Good Services. Looks Good will continue grinding debris and hauling chips to the Quad Landfill.
The final paperwork from these companies will be presented at the last board meeting in the month.
The board approved an invoice from Bains & Company for moving dirt at the Fairgrounds.
Road manager Mario Jeffries asked for approval to purchase a Mower Max tractor at a cost of $279,000. The board approved the purchase.
Mower Max offers over 100 boom attachments and 30 front attachments for things like blowing leaves, sweeping, pushing snow and mowing.