Supervisors hire new engineer to replace deceased Johnson

The Board of Supervisors met on Friday, January 10 to approve claims, the new county engineer, and to attend to other county business.

The board named Ron McMasters, Sr., P.E., P.S., with McMasters & Associates, as the new county engineer.  “McMasters worked closely with Joe Johnson on county business. They have handled the state aid and field work for the county. We will remain the same county inspector,  and Selen Sutherfield, Joe Johnson’s daughter, will continue to work with them. This will ensure as  smooth a transition as possible with all of the county’s building projects and permit requests,” stated Board President Jimmy Phillips, Supervisor District 5.

Johnson, 75, died suddenly while attending the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on December 31.  He had served Copiah County as its engineer for decades.

In other business, the board approved claims for the month totaling $1,740,887.23 that included roughly $80,000 in quarterly insurance payments and $20,000 in State Aid.