Airport commission chairman resigns

Chairman Steve See of the Copiah County Airport Commission submitted his resignation to the Board of Supervisors at their recessed meeting November 24.

The county’s consultants, Airport Development, have asked that the supervisors be aware that they have a third party engineer checking on the foundations of T-hangars presently under construction at the airport. When this engineer’s report comes in Airport Development will have a recommendation to the county on the project.

Airport Development also reported that an environmental assessment will be necessary on a runway extension program in early stages of development and a public hearing was set on the matter December 18.

Overlay Project

Engineer Joe Johnson told supervisors that State Aid has released funds for the STP 12.8 mile overlay project on the Browns Wells and Carter Hill roads overlay project. Advertisement will run December 3 and 10 and bids will be taken January 9. It is anticipated that with the cost of petroleum declining the project can be let within funds available.

Other Matters

Bonnie Gustavis, director of the Human Resource Agency, was advanced $50,000 of her budgeted funds for insurance on the fleet of new buses received by the agency.

The floodplain ordinance has been finalized and supervisors signed the completed document after the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency approved. The ordinance takes effect Dec. 16.

Dues for Randle Drane and Ricky Stevens’ participation in the Mississippi Fire Chief’s Association were paid.

Legal notices detailing $1,166,498 in income and $1,273,705 for the county’s solid waste program and supervisor travel expenses at $6,999 during the past year were authorized as required by law.

Yearly advertisement for county supplies and services was authorized with bids to be received Jan. 5, 2009.

Plans were made for the courthouse employees’ annual Christmas dinner.

The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Beauregard requested services in lieu of cash for their portion of the road and bridge fund.

Request for improved security at the Human Service Agency continued under advisement until the next meeting.

The county was offered temporary workers under a federal program to provide on the job training for participants.

Signatures were affixed to grant agreements related to Katrina funding at the Gallman Industrial Park.

Robert Martin and Randy Powell have completed their certification as Sheriff Department employees and their step pay increase was allowed. The sheriff was allowed expenses for his convention in Natchez.

An erroneous solid waste bill was corrected for Terry-Gatesville road residents.

On request of Billy Joe McDonald, a private cemetery board order was adopted creating Cedar Hill Cemetery in northeast Copiah County.

Cultural Affairs Director Schriver secured county authorization of air fare for a teacher in the PAC Grant received by Copiah. The county will request a meeting with the attorney for the Robert Johnson Foundation in matters relating to the refurbishing of the birthplace of the blues notable.

The board was notified that the circuit judge has ordered that a county unemployment matter be remanded.

A contract rearranging the lease by Southeast Supply Header of the former Universal building in the Gallman Industrial Park that had negotiated earlier was signed.

The board set meetings December 1 and 10 before adjourning for November.