Pearl River County supervisors approve routine personnel moves, contracts, grants and set hazardous-waste day

The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors met Feb. 2, 2026, in Poplarville and unanimously approved a slate of routine administrative actions, personnel moves, contractor payments and grant-related authorizations.

The board approved minutes from Jan. 21, 2026, and the claims docket for Feb. 2. Supervisors also approved the sheriff’s personnel requests, including moving William Harry III from full-time to part-time correctional officer (effective Jan. 18, 2026) and granting Carolyn Robinson a 12-week maternity leave beginning Feb. 8, 2026. The board authorized the sheriff’s application for the FY24 Byrn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and the signing of paperwork to pursue the award.

Board members authorized procurement and payments across county operations. They approved a purchase order of $8,308.35 to Absolute Solutions for election-day ballots for the Democratic and Republican federal primary on March 10, 2026, and approved payment of $4,084.52 on the county Capital One Spark Business Card due Feb. 20, 2026. The board approved pay application No. 5 to Clymer Contracting for $145,392.75 on the PRC Tech Park spec building project, and acknowledged an update and approval to proceed on the Airport Advancement Plan presented by SMPDD and Dungan Engineering.

On infrastructure and utilities, the board authorized reimbursement to the Pearl River County Utility Authority of $62,916.91 (Request #7) under MCWI ARPA Project No. 254-2-CW5.5 for Millard Jail Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements.

Planning and personnel items approved included naming a private road Freedom Acres Drive, hiring Sarah Bolin as a part-time Planning & Development employee effective Feb. 3, 2026, approving nominal permit fee increases, and hiring Jeffery Lossett as a full-time appraiser effective Feb. 9, 2026. The board also acknowledged renewal of bonds and oaths for several deputies and road department foremen, and accepted the retirement of road department truck driver Malcolm Croas effective Feb. 1, 2026.

In grants and community services, the board authorized the sheriff’s office to accept and sign an MDAH match grant with a reimbursement amount of $5,642.97 and total project cost of $7,143.00. The board approved holding a Household Hazardous Waste Day on March 7, 2026, at the Pearl River County Health Department parking lot and authorized the Board President to sign the reimbursement request for MDEQ Solid Waste Grant SW1417. An update on other grants and billings from staff member Katie Johnson was recorded with no action taken.

Several routine acknowledgements were made, including a Picayune School District 16th Section lease for Christina and David Jackson and recognition that county offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, for President’s Day.

The board voted to close the open meeting at 10:05 a.m. to consider whether to enter executive session and then entered executive session under Mississippi Code §25-41-7 to discuss personnel matters, litigation strategy and economic development topics. The board returned to open session with no action taken during executive session. The meeting was recessed with a direction to post a notice of the recess and with the next meeting scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Feb. 18, 2026, at 109 W. Pearl St., Poplarville.

Votes at a glance: - Approve Board Minutes (Jan. 21, 2026): Mover Jason Spence; seconder Bryce Lott; outcome: approved, vote 5–0. - Approve Claims Docket (Feb. 2, 2026): Mover Bryce Lott; seconder Donald Hart; outcome: approved, vote 5–0. - Sheriff personnel & maternity leave: Mover Cruz Russell; seconder Jason Spence; outcome: approved, vote 5–0. - Apply for FY24 Byrn Memorial JAG: Mover Cruz Russell; seconder Jason Spence; outcome: approved, vote 5–0. - Purchase order for ballots ($8,308.35 to Absolute Solutions): Mover Jason Spence; seconder Cruz Russell; outcome: approved, vote 5–0. - Reimbursement to Pearl River County Utility Authority ($62,916.91): Mover Bryce Lott; seconder Jason Spence; outcome: approved, vote 5–0. - Pay application No. 5 to Clymer Contracting ($145,392.75): Mover Jason Spence; seconder Bryce Lott; outcome: approved, vote 5–0. - Accept MDAH grant (reimbursement $5,642.97; total cost $7,143.00): Mover Donald Hart; seconder Jason Spence; outcome: approved, vote 5–0. - Approve Household Hazardous Waste Day (March 7, 2026): Mover Donald Hart; seconder Jason Spence; outcome: approved, vote 5–0.

The meeting minutes were read and approved for the record (Book 239, pages 635–642).