Though it is a never-ending process, the Marion County Board of Supervisors began discussions with department heads about the 2017-18 fiscal budget this week.
In a holiday-shortened session, the Board spoke about budget items Wednesday and Thursday at its offices on Courthouse Square. On Thursday, department heads began presenting figures to the Board, a process that will culminate with the passage of a final budget in September.
In June, department heads were sent information from the Board and County Comptroller Susie Bridges regarding the upcoming process. A timetable has been set for the process, which includes publication of the budget being approved on Aug. 22 and the actual publication of the proposal on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6.
A public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7, with a chance for citizens to speak with the Board about the proposed budget. The Board will have a week to digest the information and will adopt the budget at 2 p.m. on Sept. 13. An amended budget must be completed by Sept. 30.
As budget discussions began Wednesday, Board members learned of a new bidding process of reverse auctions that will change the way business is done as of Jan. 1, 2018. The process changes the traditional sealed bid process by conducting the business online.
“It starts with you logging into a program and everybody that is logged in and placing bids can see whether they are winning the bid or losing,” Bridges said. “When they see it, they can automatically place another bid. You can watch it go up and down. There is a certain time where it is cut off.”
Board President Calvin Newsom said the process, according to state officials, could save counties money in the long run.
“What they are saying is that we are shorting ourselves,” he said. “Basically, they want you to go nationwide to get the best price.”
Chancery Clerk Cass Barnes expressed concern for the process.
“That’s going to cut a lot of local people out,” he said.
Bridges and several other county employees will be attending sessions in the future on how the process will be implemented. The Mississippi Digital Government Summit on Sept. 19, in Jackson will likely shed more light on the situation.
The Board will next meet in regular session on July 19 at its offices on Courthouse Square.
