Sunflower County Emergency Management Director Denny Evans stated on Monday that the county is currently experiencing a downward turn in COVID-19 related cases.
During his monthly report to the Board of Supervisors, where he gave an update on the county's COVID-19 status, Evans said, "As you know our numbers are improving, going down, going down drastically compared to where they were a couple of months ago,” he said.
Additionally, he mentioned the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program.
"They are taking the Cares Act money the state got and giving it out to counties and municipalities to help cover COVID-19 and pandemic expenses," he said.
There is an October 15 deadline for applying for the funds. However, Evans told the members that he had already submitted the application for Sunflower County and it has been approved. "Our allocation under this program is $191,498 and some change," Evans said.
Evans also assured them that he had plenty of masks available and responded to questions from certain members regarding the CDC's recommendations regarding facemasks.
In other business,
At least five new law enforcement vehicles are on their way to Sunflower County. The Sunflower County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Monday to purchase five new Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks with Hemi engines for the sheriff's department.
Sheriff James Haywood met with the county leaders to discuss the specifications for the new vehicles that are to be purchased using $160,000 budgeted in fiscal year 2020-2021.
The trucks have a base price of $27,441, but with the addition of the “police package” and other features including blue lights, wiring for communication equipment and hidden storage compartments for stashing away gear and weapons the price comes to $31,921.
The vehicles will be purchased off of state contract and therefore will not require the reverse auction process.
The county lawmakers also approved the sale of a portion of the county farm. The motion was that the property would be advertised for sale with the provision that the buyer would have to honor the current lease agreement until its completion.
Bishop Willie B. Knighten of Moorhead is currently leasing the property. Knighten, who has plans to use the space to farm vegetables, appeared before the board to make the request to purchase the land from the county so that he can make improvements.
Knighten’s lease expires with this board’s term and would have to be renewed at the beginning of the next, but only if he is awarded the bid, Knighten expressed that he would not want to make the improvements and then lose possession of the land, which is why he wants permanent possession.
That prompted him to present several options and requests to the leaders such as purchasing, long-term lease and donating the property to him, but the outcome was that they could not convey the land to him outright, but it would have to be advertised for sale so that everyone would have an opportunity to bid on it.
Knighten then asked if it could be advertised for bid only to nonprofit organizations and Board Attorney Johnny McWilliams said that it could not, it would have to be open for everyone. He stated that as Knighten's only option.
A question was also raised about the actual size of the property since Knighten maintains that the dimensions have changed over the years due to the county's use of certain portions and other restrictions and inhibitors.
In addition, the county lawmakers also denied a request from Moon River Foods for additional tax exemptions, which included waiving of penalties. A representative for the company requested an “adjustment” for the 2018 tax year based on certain issues that she said plagued the company in 2017, including the death of co-workers in a work-related accident, which caused a sustained halt in production according to her.
The company recently appeared before the lawmakers to request a different exemption/reduction and now according to Tax Collector/Assessor Cynthia Chandler; her office is not authorized to grant any further reductions. The company is currently only paying school taxes, which is required of everyone.
Board Attorney Johnny McWilliams also voiced a similar declaration in response to a question from a member of the board. “I do not believe you are authorized to grant any tax exemptions to a company that is already tax exempt,” said McWilliams.
District 1 Supervisor Glenn Donald was seemingly for granting the request and called for further investigation. “I would like for some further research to be done Johnny,” he said. McWilliams quickly returned, “No, I would like for her to put something to us in writing about what she’s asking for and why and then I will research it.”
