County to take over grant project city turned down
The Copiah County Board of Supervisors voted to engage Central Mississippi Planning and Development District to assist with a Community Development Block Grant application for improvements to the Hazlehurst Industrial Park road.
The county will provide a ten percent match on the project. They are seeking a $500,000 grant.
The project requires the industrial park’s occupant, CCI, to provide 25 full time jobs within three years and a $300,000 investment in construction and related equipment. The board approved a memorandum of agreement with CCI to that effect.
The project will pave the industrial park road, bring it up to DOT standards and improve drainage. CCI is located near the far side of the industrial park, so the new access road will serve the entire park.
The original road was built with state funds. It is a county road, outside the city limits, even though it is in the Hazlehurst Industrial Park. The City of Hazlehurst declined to do the project.
CCI also has a facility in Houma, La. The company is a pipeline and erosion contractor.
OTHER COUNTY BUSINESS
The board authorized Colonial Life Insurance Co. to act as administrator for the county’s cafeteria plan. The switch will provide the county employees with a local agent to consult and explain their coverage.
Judge Patten and Carroll Rhodes will use the Chancery Court building to hold a public forum about court proceedings. The first of these forums is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at 9 a.m.
The board approved Tim Rutland and Sandy Ray as new members to the Copiah County Economic Development District board of trustees. Other new board members appointed by the cities will be Frances Jackson for Crystal Springs and Millerson Black for Georgetown.
Dominique Williams was hired as part time dispatcher for the sheriff’s department.
The sheriff was authorized to purchase two vehicles. A Chevrolet Impala will be bought at the state contract price of $17,754, as well as a Ford crew cab for $25,080.30.
Dr. Janet Schriver, cultural affairs director, updated the board on plans to sell pens made from wood from the Robert Johnson house. The pens will raise funds for the restoration of the home, which has been relocated to Hazlehurst. Other fund raising efforts are in the works, reported Schriver.
Contract documents were approved with Griner on the water well project.
Repairs to the King Road bridge were authorized.
Claims were approved totaling $2,738,746.87. The claims docket included several big ticket items this month, explained county administrator Ronnie Barlow, including road equipment payoff, grant payments including the t-hangar and Advance Lane projecfts, and other unusual expenses.
The board adopted a nondescrimination agreement with MDOT as required.
Problems with the restrooms at the county arena were discussed before the board recessed until Monday, October 19, at 9 a.m.
