A new redistricting plan is in the works and District 31 Representative Otis Anthony II apprised the county leaders on Monday that it will likely have an impact locally.
“We may lose one seat here in the Delta, but we'll see," he said.
At Monday’s Sunflower County Board of Supervisors' meeting, Anthony was on hand to share pertinent information and give the county leaders an update on recent decisions at the State legislative level. "We're in the process of redistricting, and that's going to be another fight on hand. It's going to affect county districts and it's going to affect our district—Senate District, House District,” Anthony said.
In addition to the local impact, Anthony indicated that other nearby areas could also be affected. “We're going to see some additional districts up in north Mississippi, DeSoto County,” he added.
Anthony reasserted his commitment to supply the county leaders with essential information. "Because you all sent me down with the task and I've come back to report some things we've accomplished this session," he said.
Anthony then referenced the funds that were allocated for the new Inverness fire truck and how they were unable to get funds through a direct appropriation, but were able to obtain them through an additional $5 million allocation into the rural fire truck fund that helps small municipalities receive the equipment they need.
The town of Inverness received a $150,000 allocation through that fund and subsequently gave the money to the county to help pay for the new truck.
He mentioned a $250,000 appropriation to the city of Indianola for infrastructure work that was received by the city. "We need some more, so we're going to go back and ask for some more," he said.
He also commented on the Moorhead lighting project at U.S. Highway 82 and MS Highway 3 and talked about a $1.5 million direct appropriation that went to the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation in Ruleville.
He credited that allocation to District 30 Representative Tracey Rosebud, whom he said led the charge for that request. "These dollars came from the House side," Anthony said.
Anthony asserted that he is excited about the fact that the Delta is starting to get some of the major appropriations through the legislature. "We're developing those relationships that we need to develop, so, we can see us starting to get some money," he said.
He referred to the vanity license plates developed for Gentry and Thomas Edwards high schools and how some of those dollars are going to the schools. He said they have plans to also initiate vanity plates for Indianola Academy.
He mentioned House Bill 357 that increases the bond amount for the counties’ purchasing clerks, Senate Bill 2643 that now allows constables to serve tax sale notices in addition to the sheriff's department and Senate Bill 2024, which addresses the bidding process.
In another matter that was of interest to the members, Anthony spoke about a ballot initiative that will come up soon regarding healthcare coverage.
Additionally, at Anthony’s request, the county lawmakers voted unanimously to send a letter to Congressman Bennie Thompson thanking him for voting in support of the most recent stimulus package. "We had others, they want the money, but they don't vote for it." Anthony said he has been encouraging all of the municipalities and boards in his district to write a letter of thanks.
In other business,
The county lawmakers also unanimously voted to sell the old fire truck back to the town of Inverness for $1 since the town contributed $150,000 towards the cost to purchase the new one. Normally the county resells the trucks back to the municipalities for $30,000.
After holding a required public hearing—where no citizens showed up to be heard on the matter of the adoption of the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Sunflower County and each municipality—the county lawmakers voted unanimously to adopt the plan.
There were no takers in the county's second attempt to sell a 2014 Econoline ambulance that had been declared surplus property. During a bid opening at a previous meeting someone had offered $1,793.79 for the vehicle, but the lawmakers refused it citing that it was not enough.
County Administrator Fred Washington said someone initially bid on the ambulance this time, but subsequently withdrew their offer.
Drew Mayor Harvey Burchfield also appeared before the Board of Supervisors on Monday to request help on several issues plaguing the town.
Burchfield mentioned a large unauthorized dumpsite within the city and a conversation he’d had with a Mississippi Emergency Management Agency representative.
Burchfield said he had asked for help with the cleanup, but was told that he should ask the county for help. He was reportedly informed that the county had received relief funds and that portions of those monies could be used for garbage cleanup. "I was advised to speak to you all in reference to the dumping,” he said.
District 5 Supervisor Gloria Dickerson called the dumpsite "toxic" and very large and said it sits in the middle of the town. A discussion ensued on what funds are available for which projects.
It appears that the county’s funds have already been assigned to other cleanup projects including placing roll-off dumpsters in several locations. Attorney Johnny McWilliams eventually suggested that Burchfield get with South Delta Planning and Development District and apply for a grant for Drew to help get the dump cleaned up.
Burchfield also asked about the status of a request made for assistance to help with street repairs in the city. He said they have the material and they're just trying to get the county's help with hauling it. "What I'm trying to do is get some of the streets fixed, some of the holes fixed, so that when the next administration take over on July 1, it won't be such a burden on them," he said.
Burchfield asserted that the county’s assistance is urgently needed because the gravel is just sitting there in piles and the citizens have begun hauling the material/ gravel away and using it on their private driveways.
President Riley Rice instructed County Administrator Fred Washington to get with Road Manager T.J. Fairley to work out a time to get the work done.
