Meetings with Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn could benefit Marion County.
Marion County supervisors were asked to prepare of an agenda of items the county needs ahead of future meetings and even visits from top-ranking state officials.
Ron Matis, political liaison for the Mississippi District, United Pentecostal Church, International, shared updates with the Marion County Board of Supervisors during its Monday meeting at its offices on Courthouse Square.
“The Pentecostal Church just concluded its annual camp meeting in Raymond and during the week we met with elected officials,” he said. “It
was an opportunity for me to work with them and spend some time chat-ting with them. We spent time in the meetings with the lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. We will need to get the ball rolling on an agenda of what Marion County needs and what some of the interests are, whether it is a sportsplex or industry and how Marion County can facilitate this.”
Matis said the connections with state officials could be beneficial to Marion County.
“They are really excited about that opportunity,” he said. “We will be discussing a variety of topics. We can set up some dates to get you to come up to Jackson and meet with them. We’re also making plans to have the lieutenant governor visit Columbia in August.”
Board President Calvin Newsom said one of the biggest concerns is funding for roads and bridges.
“Seeing meaningful funding for roads and bridges is one of their concerns as well,” Newsom said. “You may see more action on this in the next session, particularly as we are entering the last half of the term. Those things will obviously become more and more important.”
District 2 Supervisor Terry Broome asked about the status of a proposed gasoline tax increase.
“They are still studying what would be the best approach,” Matis said. “Obviously the challenge is that there are some very vocal groups that are opposed to it. They have been very effective.”
Broome said that crumbling infrastructure needs to be addressed by state officials.
“I’ve spoken to trucking company officials who are for it (gasoline tax increase),” he said. “They think it is the fairest way to fund it.”
Matis said he has spoken with companies that have an interest in the proposals.
“They (state officials) are aware of this being a top priority,” he said. “They are also aware of some of the other things that we have talked about, whether it is funding for revitalization of the former training school site (Marion County BusinessPlex) or looking at money for other projects to revitalize the county. All we need is for you to reinforce that and say, ‘Here’s what we’d like to see happen over the next few years. Here are our priorities.’”
Matis said meeting with state officials can help communicate the interests of Marion County.
“I think it is about approaching them and discussing how we can be partners in making it a better Mississippi is important,” he said. “You want to let them know that you want to be an effective team member in that. I think you’ll find very receptive team leaders. We need to play to our strengths and we need to get the ball rolling with state officials. We need to invest in building relationships.”
In other business, the Board:
• Heard a report from Shirley Dempeer of Legal Shield. Dempeer, an independent Legal Shield consultant from Bassfield, briefed the Board on the company’s services, which are available to individuals. Legal Shield provides a variety of legal services for subscribers.
“We will check with our employees to see if there is an interest,” Newsom said.
• Approved the final documents of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant that has assisted with the replacement of the roof at the Marion County Courthouse.
• Discussed potential candidates for the assistant director’s position for the Marion County Emergency Management Agency in executive session.
• Approved Marion County Jail employees Zachary Guidroz and Jonathon May to attend gang investigative classes July 27-28 in Jackson.
• Voted to approve the transfer of $8,718 from Beat 3 to Beat 2 for payments on a dump truck which had come out of the wrong fund.
The Marion County Board of Supervisors next meets in regular session during the week of Aug. 7 at its offices on Courthouse Square.
