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Rankin County supervisors adopt stormwater program, approve disaster‑debris contract and temporary justice‑court appointment
Summary
The Rankin County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 6 adopted a stormwater management program, approved a standby disaster‑debris contract and authorized a series of operational contracts and appointments to support county services.
Rankin County supervisors on Jan. 6 adopted several administrative and contracting items intended to support preparedness, criminal case processing and routine county operations.
Stormwater program adopted
The board voted to adopt the Rankin County Stormwater Management Program as printed. There were no public comments on the program during the hearing and the board approved adoption by motion and voice vote.
Forensic lab MOU
Supervisors authorized the board president to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to obtain a dedicated employee at the Mississippi Forensic Lab assigned to Rankin County criminal testing needs. County counsel told supervisors the arrangement would not require county funding for two years and is intended to speed case processing.
Standby contract for disaster debris removal
The board authorized the president to execute a five‑year standby contract, with up to three one‑year renewals, between Rankin County and Southern Disaster Recovery LLC for disaster debris removal and disposal services. The contract includes a staging framework and covers up to 500,000 cubic yards of debris under the contract terms; the county would need to authorize additional costs if debris exceeded that amount. County staff emphasized the contract’s compliance with federal procurement and reimbursement rules to facilitate potential FEMA cost recovery.
Temporary justice‑court appointment
Following the Jan. 3 swearing‑in of Josh McCrory as county court judge, the board adopted an order appointing Clarence McDonald "Don" Leland Jr. as temporary Rankin County Justice Court Judge for District 3. The order also authorized county counsel to notify the election commission to schedule a special election for a successor to the vacant justice‑court seat.
Other routine approvals
The board approved multiple routine and operational items by voice vote, including: authority to void or refund certain tax bills and tax‑sale charges where errors were identified; award of commodity term bids and a pest‑control contract (Safeguard was the low bidder) for county buildings; renewal of workers' compensation coverage for volunteer fire departments with Liberty Mutual; and requests by the cities of Pearl and Brandon to use county election equipment for municipal elections (cities will be provided quotes). The administration was also directed to seek written proposed agreements and additional information from two firms (PATH and Upchurch Services) that responded to an energy‑savings/energy‑performance qualification request so the county can compare proposals.
Executive session
The board recessed into an executive session on land acquisition and litigation near the end of the agenda.
Speakers and process: County attorney and administrative staff presented contract and program details; the board used standard motions and voice votes to approve each item. Several items were described as contingent (for example, the standby debris contract obligates the county only if the board triggers services following a qualifying disaster).
Speakers quoted in this article were recorded during the Jan. 6, 2025 business portion of the meeting; motions and approvals are reflected in the meeting minutes.
