Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DeSoto supervisors weigh enforcement, inmate crews and contractor agreements to tackle HWY 61 litter
Summary
County officials discussed increased highway litter on HWY 61, possible fines for uncovered hauling, the Sheriff's plan to send notices to offending companies, and using electronic monitoring plus inmate crews for pickup. No ordinance change was enacted; staff will return with cost estimates and coordination plans.
DeSoto County supervisors on Jan. 5 discussed a range of options to address persistent roadside litter along Highway 61, including enforcement of state litter laws, company notices, and supervised inmate clean‑up crews.
Environmental Services Director Ray Laughter told the Board his team has contacted RCI (which handles mowing and trash pickup under MDOT contracts) and plans to follow up with the Council of Governments on HWY 61. Supervisor Lee Caldwell described seeing uncovered trash-hauling trucks coming from Memphis and urged the Board to consider fining hauling companies when loads are not secured. "I have witnessed trucks coming from Memphis ... trash blows out everywhere onto the roadways," Caldwell said.
Sheriff Thomas Tuggle offered an enforcement route: if the county provides company names, the Sheriff's Office would send notices and could ticket violators under state litter statutes. He also noted the department had purchased 30 additional electronic monitoring anklets and said monitored work crews could be used for litter pickup. Supervisor Ray Denison said he would support funding anklets to expand that option. County Administrator Andrea Pettigrew reported regional mayors had discussed a joint request for ticketing violators and suggested engaging Keep DeSoto County Beautiful and local business groups to adopt road sections.
No formal action was taken; Environmental Services will obtain pricing from RCI for additional interstate pickups and return to the Board with options. The discussion left three paths on the table: civil enforcement (notices and tickets), contractual pickup with RCI or similar vendors, and supervised inmate crews using electronic monitoring.
