Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Response topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DeSoto County ratifies emergency proclamation, approves emergency purchases after Winter Storm Fern
Summary
The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors ratified a 30‑day emergency proclamation for Winter Storm Fern, authorized emergency purchases and dumpster sites, and directed a letter to state transportation officials criticizing MDOT's response and urging improved staffing and equipment.
The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 2 ratified a 30‑day emergency proclamation related to Winter Storm Fern and approved a package of emergency purchases and response measures to restore public safety.
County Board President Supervisor Jessie Medlin said "the Emergency Proclamation related to Winter Storm Fern will be in effect for 30 days." The Board voted unanimously to ratify the Jan. 23 proclamation and authorize signatures. The Board also approved placement of free dumpsters provided by Waste Connections and authorized the County Road Department to clear private parking lots that would house the dumpsters while regular trash routes remained disrupted.
Road Manager Robert Jarman and Facilities Director Garrett Madero described extensive clearing operations: crews laid salt and scraped roads during narrow windows of opportunity and Facilities used about 11,200 pounds of salt, with Road crews lending 4WD trucks to county facilities. Communications Director Christie Barclay said "there were more than four million views on the County's Facebook and other social media pages" related to storm messaging, and the county gained about 3,300 followers during the event.
The Board approved a ledger of emergency procurement items related to the storm, including bulk salt and rock purchases and equipment parts totaling $208,021.56, and authorized payment for emergency jail purchases (porta‑potty trailers, $7,700; water main repair, $29,432.51) after finding the purchases necessary to protect inmate and staff health and safety.
In a separate motion, the Board directed staff to send a letter to the Governor, the MDOT executive director and the three transportation commissioners expressing disappointment with MDOT's handling of the event and urging "that MDOT have equipment out on I‑55, 269 and 22 from day one," increased pay for MDOT employees and attention to hospital and industry access, a motion moved by Supervisor Mark Gardner and seconded by Supervisor Jessie Medlin. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board also authorized using State procurement guidelines (one quote up to $5,000) for urgent guardrail replacements to speed safety repairs, and approved other emergency expenditures as listed in the emergency purchases exhibit. The Board will reconvene Feb. 17 for its next regular meeting.
