Incoming full-time County Administrator Fred Washington is looking into the possibility of making some changes right out of the gate.
On Monday, in his first official appearance before the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors in that capacity, Washington suggested approaching Three Rivers Planning and Development District, the company that coordinates the lease between Sunflower County and IBM for the use of the AS400 computer system and data backup services, about the possibility of a shorter lease-term contract.
It was the consensus of the members that Washington be allowed to pursue the quest for a shorter term; however it was strongly emphasized that the current contract ended on September 30, so he should not delay any longer in renewing the current agreement regardless of whether new terms were achieved.
The annual cost of the services from Three Rivers jumped from around $11,000 to $15,500 beginning this month and it will be that price for the next 5 years. Washington indicated that he felt the amount was excessive.
District 1 Supervisor Glenn Donald acknowledged that the previous county administrator, Gloria McIntosh, had made them aware of an impending increase in the annual lease payment. Donald said they were just waiting on the first meeting before they signed the agreement.
Making note of the time constraint, Attorney Johnny McWilliams expressed his concern that any changes should have already been discussed. Washington said he had tried reaching out to the company but as of Monday morning, they had not responded.
In addition, Washington noted how the county is getting various types of computer services from at least five different vendors, which he hopes to be able to consolidate after conducting some research. "There are a lot of different companies that we are paying, some for the same things," he said.
Washington said he was made aware of the situation on Friday and has not had a chance to research any other companies. "I'm not recommending changing anything today. All I am recommending today is that we go to a shorter contract with Three Rivers," Washington said.
The county does have the ability to opt out of the five-year agreement early; however, it comes with the stipulation that they must give a 180-day advanced written notice and if the county does give notice before December 31, 2023, then they will still owe payment for one additional year of service over and above the fee for that year.
McWilliams shared his understanding of the contractual situation with Three Rivers as being one of mutual benefit to multiple groups. "We were able to get in on this one because they had five or six counties and we are basically sharing the cost," he said.
McWilliams further explained that at some point the county was in need of a new AS400 computer system and that in order to try to avoid having to purchase the huge computer that does all of the things they need on its own, the county chose to enter into a lease contract.
Additionally, Washington also gave an update on the progress for the county's recently acquired annex site for the county administrator and the accounting department at 124 Main St.
Washington said they have erected walls to generate new office spaces, the lights are on and the remaining utilities were expected to be connected that day. He said they should be ready to occupy the building by October 20.
In other business,
At the request of County Engineer Ron Cassada, the County leaders also received and approved a $124,457.95 payment request from Double S Inc for storm drainage work in the Eastmoor Subdivision in Moorhead.
Additionally, a $65,351 request for the access road work on the Sunflower-Itta Bena Road for Delta Protein Products International was also approved. "That job is essentially finished with the exception of the striping. The seal portion has to cure before the striping," Cassada said.
He also reported that all of the contracts have been completed for the U.S. Highway 82 East turning lane project near Irrigation Equipment.
Cassada said the College Avenue bridge contractor told him that they should start paving that section by the end of this week. He said if that is on track, then the bridge should be open in approximately two weeks.
Jail Administrator Eddie Bounds made a presentation before the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors on Monday regarding a new pay scale format for his jailers. Using the example of $10 as a base salary Bounds said, "I've got employees that get hired as a jail officer and they make, for example, $10 an hour, then five years later you hire somebody else and these people have been here five years and they are making the same amount of money that the new employee is making."
He is proposing an incremental pay scale based on experience and years of service whereby new hires/first-year employees will make $11 per hour. After two years, a person classified as jail officer II would make $12 per hour, then after four years and reaching the jail officer III status, the person would make $13 per hour. After five years of service, a jailer who makes the jailer IV certification would be paid $13.50 per hour.
Bounds is proposing that his jail shift supervisors would be paid $14.50 per hour. “That’ll give them something to look for,” he said. Bounds said in a way it was like a self-promotion for the employees based upon their employee evaluation. “This will help retain these good certified people. They should at least be making $22,000 a year, some of these people (are) making less than that, ” he said.
Sheriff James Haywood also advocated for Bounds’ pay scale changes. “The road department has surpassed the sheriff’s department in pay and I’m not talking about the road department because everybody needs to get paid, but their pay has surpassed where people have had to go out and get highly specified, qualified training to do and it’s time for us to get at least with the road department,” Haywood said.
The money is purportedly in the budget and Bounds’ plan just needs to be implemented. It was suggested that he meet with Washington to work out the details and they report to the county lawmakers at the next meeting.
There was also some discussion with road manager T.J. Fairley about his employees’ hourly wages and pay raises and aside from approving the probationary pay increases for two workers, the county leaders also tabled any further approval until Fairley can also meet with Washington.
"I'll get with Mr. Fairley and we'll work this out, we'll make a proposal to the board on all of this," Washington said.
