Jasper County supervisors unanimously approve routine claims, authorize grant application for Bay Springs fire truck

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors met in Bay Springs on Dec. 1, 2025, and unanimously approved a slate of routine claims, contracts and personnel actions while authorizing a grant application to help purchase a new fire truck for Bay Springs.

Sandy Stephens, committee member, moved to acknowledge receipt of the Jasper County Jail meal logs for November 2025; Doug Rogers, committee member, seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously to accept the logs. The board likewise voted unanimously to approve county claims, approve the November minutes, and acknowledge the Chancery Clerk’s land redemption report for October 2025, motions moved and seconded by board members during the meeting.

The board approved a 16th section lease agreement between the East Jasper School District and Lakita Roberts after a motion by Sandy Stephens and a second by Jon R. Jones. It also authorized payment of $1,500 to the Mississippi Chancery Clerk’s Association for Sharon King, the Chancery Clerk, and approved advertising county resources in The Post and on WIZK radio as presented.

In a notable equipment and public-safety item, the board authorized Hudson Jenkins to serve as applicant agent and directed him to apply for the RFTAAP Round 11 grant seeking $70,000 to contribute toward purchasing a new tanker/pumper fire truck priced at $662,909 for the Bay Springs Volunteer Fire Department; the board also authorized participation by the City of Bay Springs. The motion was made by Doug Rogers and seconded by Jon R. Jones and carried unanimously.

The board approved a contract with Taylor Auctions to sell eight vehicles from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and authorized multiple payments from ERBR funds: $12,154.58 to MAGCO, Inc. for Project ERBR31(01) (several bridges on CR 24); $205,246.77 to N.L. Carson Construction for Project ERBR-31(02) (bridges on CR 16); and $21,623.99 to Chas. N. Clark Associates for consultant work on ERBR-31(02). All payments were approved unanimously.

Personnel actions included approval to employ Walter Brand with Watkins and Eager for human resources consultation and the full-time hire of Ryanne Nacole Brown as clerical support for the Board of Supervisors at $16.50 per hour, effective Jan. 5, 2026. The board also approved travel and expenses for Nila Cromwell to attend the 2026 Mid-Winter Legislative Conference (Feb. 4–6, 2026) in Flowood.

The board voted to enter a closed session and executive session to discuss personnel; when executive session ended the board recorded no action taken. The meeting recessed and the board set a next called meeting for Dec. 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Bay Springs.

Several non-action items were noted for future attention, including a library appointment for Beat 4, possible LSBP forfeiture of funds, scheduling for the Junior Livestock Association event, and a price list left by Stafford Vegetation Services for review.

Votes at a glance: the minutes record unanimous approval for motions acknowledging jail logs, approving claims, approving minutes, acknowledging land redemption collections, approving the 16th section lease, approving Chancery Clerk dues payment, authorizing the RFTAAP grant application and City participation for the Bay Springs tanker purchase, authorizing the Sheriff’s vehicle auction contract, approving ERBR payments and consultant fees, authorizing travel for conference attendance, approving holiday advertising, approving the HR consultant engagement, approving a full-time clerical hire, and recessing to Dec. 15, 2025.

The board did not take additional formal action after its executive session and will reconvene as scheduled on Dec. 15, 2025.