Oktibbeha County supervisors approve consent agenda, appoint library trustee and authorize road safety work

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on May 13, 2026, in the Circuit Courthouse and voted unanimously on a slate of administrative, personnel and infrastructure items.

The board approved the consent agenda on a motion by Supervisor Joe Williams, seconded by Supervisor Orlando Trainer. The consent items included acceptance of temporary easements and a right-of-entry with the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District for a Sand Creek cleanout; authorization of a $58,280.11 reimbursement request to the Mississippi Development Authority for the Josey Creek Pump Station Rehabilitation project; formal acknowledgment of an emergency closure of Bridge Structure SA5300000000051 on Sturgis West Point Road due to critical steel loss; approval of Atmos Energy utility permits for natural gas main extensions along Oktoc Road (Phases 3 & 4); a retirement proclamation honoring the 48‑year ministry of Reverend Tyrone Stallings Sr.; and the bi‑monthly personnel actions report.

County Engineer Clyde Pritchard delivered a status report on active county and state‑aid projects and reported that the Four Professional Plaza slope stabilization work is secure pending some pavement repairs. On a motion by Board President Marvel Howard, seconded by Supervisor Pattie Little, the board unanimously approved execution of a final supplemental agreement and close‑out settlement with Vance Brothers, LLC for the County Lake Road slurry seal project. The settlement includes a two‑year maintenance bond and a pay‑item deduction related to removal of thermoplastic paint striping that had been substituted with a temporary painted layout.

Road Manager Victor Collins asked the board to authorize a short‑term interlocal agreement with Lowndes County Road Manager Jeff Smith to assist with pavement grinding near Crawford. The board approved the cost‑sharing grinding operation (motion by Supervisor Orlando Trainer, second by Supervisor Joe Williams), with Collins saying the work would require two operators for a one‑ to two‑day run and would not disrupt existing county timelines. The board also approved three traffic‑safety measures: installation of a low‑profile, 1½‑inch speed bump at 1710 Blair Road (motion by Williams, second by Trainer) and the placement of low‑profile speed tables on the eastern end of Poly Bell Road after a planned asphalt reseal (motion by Howard, second by Williams).

Human Resources Director Jennifer Franklin reported personnel items and recommended appointments. The board unanimously acknowledged the vacancy on the Starkville‑Oktibbeha County Public Library System Board of Trustees and appointed Kathleen Gresham, a Starkville resident and professional author, to fill the remainder of the unexpired term (motion by Trainer, second by Little). Franklin also presented an evaluation of benefits brokers and recommended Hub International Gulf South; the board approved designating Hub as the county's sole agent/broker of record (motion by Trainer, second by Williams) and authorized the Board President to execute the required instruments. The board further authorized an immediate administrative transition of active insurance lines effective May 13, 2026.

County Administrator Wayne Carpenter sought approval to advertise a request for qualifications to procure professional investment management services to establish an Oktibbeha County Reserve and Trust Fund, a step Carpenter said is required following passage of House Bill 4110 and the pending hospital sale proceeds. The board approved the RFQ (motion by Supervisor Pattie Little, second by Supervisor Joe Williams). Carpenter also brought a covenant amendment submitted by developer David Josie that would restrict chiropractic and veterinary offices on a business parcel used for county services; the board unanimously tabled the amendment and directed Administrator Carpenter and Board Attorney Rob Roberson to secure a formal land‑use justification from the developer and to include a "Governmental Use Exception" prior to any recording.

The board adopted an Assistance Resolution requesting Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District support for a 660‑foot localized maintenance cleanout and bank stabilization along a drainage ditch between Bethesda Road and Dock Lane aimed at reducing erosion near residential foundations. The board also reviewed a solid waste fee waiver petition from Mr. Donald Jaamal seeking erasure of $998 in delinquent assessments; Administrator Carpenter noted state statute mandates collection of solid waste fees for structures with active electricity or water and that a collection route exists at the end of the property's driveway. The board upheld the administrative denial and rejected the waiver appeal (motion by Little, second by Williams), while validating Mr. Jaamal’s right to request a payment plan described in the record as a 25% layout followed by temporary double monthly billing.

To address short‑term staffing needs in Administration & Finance, the board approved hiring Bobbi Calmes as a temporary part‑time Office Assistant at $17.50 per hour (motion by Ben Carver, second by Pattie Little). The board also accepted the County Administrator's report and set a spring operational workshop for Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. in the courthouse boardroom.

The board recessed the regular meeting until the May 28 workshop (motion by Pattie Little, second by Orlando Trainer).