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New cosmetology‑barber board faces heavy public complaints and asks to restore staffing and pay authority
Summary
The merged Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering told lawmakers it inherited a backlog and communication gaps after operating without a confirmed board; the agency requested restoration of four positions, salary progressions and funding for evaluators, hearings and mail‑out costs.
Katherine Bell, executive director of the newly consolidated Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, told the appropriations subcommittee the merged agency is about 18 months old and has spent that time integrating two former boards’ records, expanding exam evaluators from a very small pool to 12, and launching a newsletter and other communication channels to reach licensees.
Bell and contractor Denise (Cornerstone) described persistent staffing instability during the transition; the board’s authorized headcount was reduced during prior budget action and the agency seeks to restore four positions, plus authority to grant up to 7% salary progressions to retain staff. The agency also requested funds to continue practical exam evaluators, pay hearing costs and cover cloud hosting and postage. A line item in the request would cover certified‑mail licensing to improve delivery reliability.
Senators repeatedly described a flood of public complaints while the board lacked a quorum and urged the new board to demonstrate how it will use staffing and contract authority to reduce a backlog of disciplinary cases and speed licensing. Committee members asked for peer reports, oversight options and clearer plans for how grant/contract money already collected in the board’s special fund would be spent rather than retained as a large reserve.
The subcommittee did not approve any appropriation during the hearing and asked the board to return after the new commissioners meet and ratify budget priorities.
