Swollen state revenues may help county

A supercharged state budget may mean more money for county projects, according to county consultant Gary Anderson.

He said the legislative budget office and some financial experts say the state is expecting $500 million more than the state already had in December. A budget of $7 billion just jumped to $7.52 billion, he said, as part of the revenues from the federal government and some increases in sales tax receipts.

“We already had $300 million to $500 million expected additional revenues,” Anderson said.

So, no legislative bond bill is expected since so much money is available in the 2023 session of the Mississippi Legislature, he said.

Anderson said the financial outlook in the state is causing Gov. Tate Reeves to propose elimination of the state income tax.

“Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann does not want to because he’s worried about a recession coming,” Anderson said. “Plus, there is no more federal money for the pandemic. That’s what going on in the mix in January.”

He said the county may be able to get additional money to complete the new substation for fire, ambulance, and law enforcement that is being built in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park.

“I hoped to get the dirt work started,” said District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor.

Anderson said the county needs to discuss which projects it wants to prioritize out of four projects it sought funding for in the 2022 legislative session.

“Last session they asked, ‘what is your skin in the game?’ ” Anderson said.

County administrator Tim Powell said the board of supervisors recently put $17 million in the game by borrowing to purchase properties in Chickasaw Trail that would help solidify the mega site planned for the park.

“We should narrow it to three projects?” District 4 supervisor George Zinn III asked.

“Two projects,” Anderson said.

Taylor said he thinks the county will get priority in funding its projects by the legislature because of the $17 million.

“They shorted us $2 million before,” Taylor said, for construction of the new substation in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park.

“Pick the top two,” Anderson recommended.

“I know there are deals being made,” Taylor said.

“Kinkade (Rep. Bill Kinkade) has already submitted bills on each one, but sooner or later we will have to talk with the budget committee,” Anderson said. “If we can meet the first week of January with the chair of the appropriations committees of both houses and the Lt. Governor before they get bombarded with other counties later on....”

Justin Hall, executive director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority, reported some interest in Byhalia with part of the GEM building property.

“They need more property for the cemetery,” Hall said. “There is some acreage behind the cemetery they need for expansion of the cemetery.”

Hall recommended the county give that property to the Town of Byhalia for that purpose.

Circuit clerk Monet Autry advised the board of supervisors that qualifying for county offices begins Jan. 3 and extends through Feb. 1 to 5 p.m.

Candidates must file a qualifying statement of intent to run for office with the circuit clerk's office and pay a fee to whichever party they are affiliating with, Autry said.

In general, most offices require signatures of 50 qualified electors on the application and a fee of $100, she said.

There are exceptions for district offices in which Independent candidates only have to have 15 signatures. County-wide offices typically require signatures of 50 qualified electors (registered voters).

The filing fee for Democratic, Republican, Independent and non-partisan candidates is $100.

Election commissioners authenticate the certified electors in each district. The board of supervisors certifies candidates for election commissioners, Autry said.

Taylor said the water damage to the stucco on the office of the circuit clerk's interior wall is “an embarrassment for the public to see and he wants repair of those areas put on the list of priorities.

County administrator Tim Powell assured supervisors that a grant submitted to Archives and History, if awarded, will provide funds to do those repairs inside the courthouse. The notice of awards will be sent out in January.

“It's definitely an eyesore,” Autry said.

Powell provided figures for the bond payments on the land purchase. The county will pay $600,000 out of this year's budget and thereafter the annual payment will be $1.3 million until the $17 million bond is paid off.

The board approved purchase of lights and heat sources for the county shop. Building and Grounds director Randy Mercer said the fixtures for the lights can be moved to the new county road shop when the county completes the acquisition of property to move the shop away from West Woodward Avenue.