Sunflower County Chancery Clerk Dr. Gloria McIntosh reported to the county Board of Supervisors this week on new statewide initiatives in mental health and municipal finance, following her attendance at the annual Mississippi Chancery Clerks Convention held July 23-26 in Biloxi.
During the board’s Monday meeting at the county courthouse, McIntosh applauded a new partnership between the city of Hattiesburg and Forrest County to create a crisis stabilization unit for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
“Right now, we have more patients than beds,” McIntosh told supervisors. “Mental health (issues) is on the rise, and it cannot be ignored.
Most of those in crisis are just regular people facing difficult moments, and with proper help, they can recover.”
McIntosh said the stabilization unit aims to close a vital gap in care, offering a compassionate local response to residents in distress.
She praised the collaboration as a model for other communities facing similar challenges.
In addition to mental health concerns, McIntosh provided a crucial update from state auditors. According to presentations given by officials Pat Dendy, Tom Chain and Jeff Goodwin at the convention, the State Auditor’s office will begin withholding funds from municipalities that fail to comply with state reporting and audit requirements.
“If a municipality is not in compliance, the state will withhold funds until the amount needed to restore compliance is covered,” McIntosh explained. “Once the requirements are met, the funding will resume, though 10 percent will be held back until full compliance is achieved.”
The new policy, which does not apply to county governments at this time, comes as part of ongoing efforts by State Auditor Shad White’s office to increase accountability and support timely municipal operations.
The Monday meeting was attended by supervisors Glenn Donald (District 1), Riley Rice (District 2), Roger Anthony (District 3), Anthony Clark (District 4), Board President Gloria Dickerson (District 5), County Administrator Mary Hart and Sheriff James Haywood.
McIntosh thanked the board for their support in attending the convention and emphasized the importance of information-sharing as the county faces growing mental health needs and changing state oversight.
