Sunflower County has a new road manager.
But not without controversy.
The Sunflower County Board of Supervisors this week debated the appointment of Tim Howell as county road manager, after District 1 Supervisor Glenn Donald challenged his hire two weeks ago focusing on legal requirements for the position and procedural transparency.
Howell was hired moments following the termination of former road manager TJ Fairley and former assistant road manager Walter Williams, following an investigation into multiple allegations of impropriety at the road department.
Donald maintained that the investigation cleared the two men, and they were fired anyway, and he also questioned the quick trigger to hire Howell, who will also oversee preventative maintenance and solid waste.
Donald also said this week that the board’s vote to hire Howell in closed session may not have been legal.
The issue was front and center this week when the board was set to vote to accept Howell’s bond.
The board voted to proceed with the bond, with District 1 Supervisor Glenn Donald casting the lone "nay" vote.
The remaining supervisors voted in favor, resulting in a 4-1 decision.
During the proceedings, Donald raised concerns and cited statutes outlining the legal requirements for the position.
Board Attorney Johnny McWilliams read those statutes aloud.
The controversy stems from Mississippi law Donald provided, which appears to require that the county road department’s administrative head possess education or experience in highway construction and maintenance.
The cited law states: “The county supervisor shall appoint a county road man who shall be educated or experienced in the construction and maintenance of highways and bridges.”
Donald explained that Mississippi Code § 65-17-1 (2024) also requires candidates for county road manager to meet specific education and experience criteria — either through formal training or equivalent supervisory or administrative experience.
Donald expressed concern that the process might have violated legal procedures.
“You can’t just appoint someone based on votes,” he said. “The law requires proof of experience or education in highway construction, bridges or related fields.”
District 2 Supervisor Riley Rice, District 3 Supervisor Roger Anthony and District 5 Supervisor Gloria Dickerson voted in favor of the terminations earlier this month and Howell’s subsequent hiring.
On Monday, they argued that Howell’s extensive supervisory experience in maintenance could qualify under the law’s “equivalent experience” clause.
“He’s worked in maintenance for many years, and that should count,” Rice said.
Donald countered, however, emphasizing that experience alone, without proper formal education or relevant highway experience, might not satisfy statutory requirements.
Rice criticized what he called a “stalling tactic” to delay the process.
Procedural concerns also arose regarding transparency.
Donald voiced frustration that the appointment was never publicly discussed or disclosed in open session.
“The law states that hiring and firing must be done transparently in open session,” he said. “We need to follow the legal process to avoid violating statutes.”
At one point, Donald made a motion to rescind the appointment and bond for Howell.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Throughout the meeting, McWilliams sought clarification on the statutes provided by Donald, prompting further debate about whether Howell’s qualifications met legal standards.
Rice again expressed concern over what he called “stall tactics” aimed at delaying the process.
Later in the meeting, Howell appeared before the board, presenting a report on recent road maintenance activities, bridge inspections and yard improvements at different road department sites.
Donald questioned Howell’s credentials, asserting that his qualifications had not been formally validated prior to the appointment and voiced concerns about potential legal violations.
Howell defended his experience, but Donald maintained that proper documentation and verification were necessary under Mississippi law.
The tone shifted when Donald asked Howell, “Can you tell us about your qualifications for this role?”
Howell responded confidently, citing his supervisory experience, including establishing a department, managing businesses and working directly in road construction and maintenance. He highlighted his background with asphalt, bridges and road building, emphasizing practical expertise.
Donald pressed further, stating that Howell’s qualifications had not been formally vetted before hiring.
“This was brought up during the meeting, and I believe Howell was hired illegally without proper validation or full board discussion,” he said.
Carolyn Steel-Johnson, who was present as a citizen, was allowed to weigh in at the speaker’s podium, suggesting that if the board wished to know Howell’s credentials, it should have pressed him for those during the hiring process.
“They should have checked his qualifications before hiring him,” she said.
During the discussion, Howell noted his previous ownership of businesses, extensive hands-on work in road and bridge construction and supervisory roles.
Donald was not satisfied.
“This was done illegally, and there was no transparency,” he said.
After all agenda items, the board went into executive session. Supervisor Anthony Clark, participating via Zoom, was not present in the room, nor was Donald, who left early citing a personal appointment in Jackson.
Following the executive session, the board reconvened and, this time, voted unanimously in open session to make Howell’s employment official.
The motion was made by Rice, seconded by Anthony, and approved by all present. Supervisors Dickerson, Rice and Anthony voted in favor.
