On January 21, the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors voted to continue with the services of MedStat Emergency Medical Services for another three years at the current rate of $170,796.48 annually.
They stressed that it is not a new contract, but they are simply exercising a provision in their existing agreement to continue the service.
The matter was subject to debate because the county lawmakers were scheduled to open bids for a service provider and Pafford Emergency Services was the only company to actually submit a bid.
David Eldridge from MedStat said he was not aware and did not have a clue that the bidding process had been initiated or that bids were being opened that day. However, he was on the agenda to discuss extending their existing contract. Eldridge claimed they only showed up for that purpose.
Attorney Johnny McWilliams shared that the information was in the paper and had been properly advertised as required. He said the board had the option to accept or reject Pafford’s bid, extend MedStat’s contract or reject all of the bids and start the process over.
Representatives from Pafford originally raised concern that MedStat was being considered since they did not submit a written bid. A Pafford rep said, “It’s just very convenient that we had already submitted a number and they are just able to come in and say, hey we want to keep the same contract price.”
Pafford’s bid was $175,000 and the board opted to take the matter under advisement. Later, District 1 Supervisor Glenn Donald made a plea to the other members to retain MedStat citing that although neither company was perfect, MedStat should be allowed to continue.
The county lawmakers also voted to allow Economic Development Director Fred Washington to participate in Mississippi Aspire program after a presentation from Ellen Boudeaux, MDA representative.
She said the ultimate goal for MDA is to have a better working relationship with the county. Washington said the Aspire program will be good for the county it provides an opportunity for a select group that will eventually select a project and the county can earn points toward block grants.
The board also opened bids on two parcels of county farm land and John B. Dodd of Dodd Brothers was eventually awarded the land after Attorney Johnny McWilliams opened up the floor for expanding on the bids, but specified that only those persons who had bid originally were allowed to expand on their offer.
They also discussed the cost involved to build up a 1,000-foot section of Mall Road that has a dip. Cassada estimated that it would take approximately 3,325 cubic yards of county-supplied materials. Cassada said it would also need eight inches of compacted crushed stone and based on the annual supply bid prices it could cost a minimum of $35,370 or if it is delivered to Indianola the cost goes to $47,925.
Residents in that area have had to reportedly use boats to access their homes and go to work during heavy rains because of the low spot in the road. Road manager T.J. Fairley shared the impact such an undertaking would have on other county work and the members asked Cassada to give a rough estimate of what it would cost to hire a contractor to do the work and he said about $100,000.
