Forrest County Board of Supervisors
Forrest County is located in south central Mississippi approximately 100 miles south of the State Capital, Jackson.
The County is a dynamic, growing center for business, population and learning.
Two universities are based in Forrest County: University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University.
There are other colleges: Pearl River Community College.
The County is served by interstate 59 (New Orleans to Meridian) and Highway 49 (Gulfport to Jackson) as well as Highway 98 (Mobile to Columbia). Hattiesburg, where the county offices are located, is
therefore known as the Hub City.
There is also an excellent Medical facility: Forrest General Hospital.
The population for Forrest County, Mississippi is 78,158. (Census 2020).
Greater Hattiesburg MSA
Regional Profile – click here
Switchboard: (601) 545-6000
The Forrest County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications from Mississippi licensed attorneys to serve as its full-time Board Attorney effective January 2, 2024. The Board Attorney serves as in-house counsel for the Board in all official matters, including open meetings, public records, contracts, purchasing, bond issuance, personnel, insurance, property acquisition, land use, environmental, voting rights, and general compliance with state and federal laws. The Board Attorney’s duties include drafting of resolutions, ordinances, public notices, correspondence, and proclamations, attendance at public meetings and hearings, constituent services, and direct representation of the Board in administrative and court proceedings not handled by the Board’s insurance counsel. The Board Attorney is also responsible for providing advice and counsel to other entities under the Board’s budgetary authority, including the Chancery and Circuit Clerks, the Tax Assessor and Collector, and the Sheriff’s Office. Pursuant to Mississippi Code Section 19-3-47(3), the Board Attorney serves at the will and pleasure of the Board and may not otherwise engage in the practice of law during their appointment, which is subject to renewal on an annual basis. Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience to Jennifer Slade, County Administrator, via mail at P.O. Box 1310, Hattiesburg, MS 39403, or in person at 641 Main Street in Hattiesburg. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on October 31,2023 to be considered.
Forrest County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
August 11, 2023
Board Attorney David Miller will be missed here at Forrest County. After 16 years of service to everyone in Forrest County, Mr. Miller will be leaving to now help teach upcoming generations of kids. We are all very grateful for the wealth of knowledge that Mr. Miller has brought with him and wishes him a farewell.
2023 New Supervisor District Map
2023 New Justice and Constable District Map
2023 Qualifying Candidates for Forrest County
January 12,2023
Downtown Association presents Façade Improvement Grant in partner with Forrest County, City of Hattiesburg, and Mississippi Power.
December 5, 2022
The Board of Supervisors has appointed Barbara Hudson Tax Collector.
December 2, 2022
Supervisors attended the Ribbon Cutting for the new electric school bus for FCAHS.
December 1, 2022
“All of Forrest County is hurting from the loss of its native son, Mr. Billy Hudson. For generations, my family was fortunate to have adjoining farms with the Hudson’s in the Dixie community. While he is most widely known as a successful businessman through his longtime leadership of Hudson’s salvage, his post-retirement career in public service is what really inspires us. As a member and President of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, state Senator, and, most recently, Forrest County Tax Collector, Billy was tireless in his efforts to serve his community personally and to make Forrest County a better place. He will be sorely missed, and the thoughts and prayers of the Board of Supervisors are with Barbara, his children, and grandchildren.”
David Hogan, President, Board of Supervisors
October 31, 2022
Forrest County in the Halloween Spirit!
October 24, 2022
Ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the new Glendale Community Center.
October 17, 2022
Board of Supervisors join the District Attorney Lynn Carter and the Sheriff’s Office this morning for a proclamation recognizing #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth. For more information on how you can get assistance or offer help, contact the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter Crisis Line at 800-649-1092
July 8, 2022
The first active shooter training was held since the pandemic. The class was taught by none other than the US homeland security certified Jim McInnins.
June 28, 2022
Diane Zachary began her career working in the Forrest County Chancery Clerk’s office April 15, 1984. She worked nine four -year terms under Jimmy Havard and two and a half under Lance Reid. Her retirement date after 38 years of service is June 30, 2022.
June 20, 2022Petal softball was presented with a Proclamation for winning the 6A State Championship.
June 20, 2022
Boy Scouts was presented with a Proclamation for helping with the Lakewood Subdivision Landscaping Project in District 2.
March 31, 2022
The Board of Supervisors spoke very highly about Jimmy Howell and has given him Proclamation honoring his 35 years of service to Forrest County. Jimmy Howell’s willingness to help and exceptional work ethic will remembered forever.
The Board of Supervisors publicly commented Patricia Watts with a Proclamation honoring her for
26 years of service for the Forrest County Justice Court. Patricia served as Justice Court Bookkeeper
from February 1996 until of January 3, 2022.
(L to Right) Lance Reid, Chancery Clerk, David Hogan, President District 1,
Jennifer Slade, Forrest County Administrator, Burkett Ross-District 3 Supervisor,
David Miller, Board Attorney.
Jennifer Slade is sworn-in as Forrest County’s new County Administrator by
Forrest County Chancery Clerk, Lance Reid.
(December 6, 2021)
President of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors David Hogan joined CEO of Jones Companies
Jonathan Jones, Governor Tate Reeves, Mayor Toby Barker and President of The ADP Chad Newell
to announce Midtown Hattiesburg as the new home for Jones Companies’ $40 million corporate
headquarters for more than 230 employees. The new headquarters facility will serve as the primary
office for the Jones portfolio of companies headquartered in
South Mississippi. By providing Class A office spaces with state-of-the-art amenities and
extremely competitive wages, Jones has earned a reputation for being a premier employer.
The announcement was hosted by the Area Development Partnership Dec. 6 in the Trent Lott
National Center on the USM campus. The new building will be home to several Jones portfolio
companies, including Codaray Construction, FV Recycling, Jones Logistics, Jones Lumber,
Jones Power, PortaBull Storage, Spot and Big Black River Holdings.
The headquarters, which will be approximately 80,000 square feet, will offer jobs beginning in
the $80,000 per-year range. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2022 and will take
18 months to complete, with occupancy expected in early 2024.
David Hogan, President, Forrest County Board of Supervisors states “Forrest County has been
involved in redeveloping Midtown Hattiesburg since day one and the Jones announcement is a
culmination of years of work to ensure that Midtown Hattiesburg is a lucrative spot for new
corporate investments. The average pay at the headquarters will be double our local average,
so I can’t overemphasize the importance of this project to the future of Hattiesburg and Forrest
County”.
“During my tenure on the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, we’ve had the privilege of
announcing a lot of great economic development projects here in our community. But I must say,
the Jones headquarters announcement today is truly special. It’s extremely rare to have a shiny
new corporate headquarters built in the heart of your hometown, with jobs averaging twice the
average wage in your community. The ripple effect will be felt for years to come.”
(L) District 3 Supervisor Burkett Ross presents a check for $20,000 to Dr. Matthew Dillon for the
Petal Schools athletic programs. (R) Forrest County Chancery Clerk Lance Reid.
Covid Testing Site Maps
Click here for Sites
For appointments visit:
http://www.healthyms.com
Forrest County Board of Supervisors present a check for $15,000 to the Petal Education
Foundation Mini Grants Program for Teachers.
The primary purpose of the Petal School District Education Foundation is to
enhance the quality of education in the Petal School District by providing private
funding to have a positive impact on our public schools.
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District 2 Supervisor, Sharon Thompson presents a check for $2,500
to North Forrest Men’s Basketball Coach Quenton Loving for support
of the North Forrest athletic program.
(L to R) Joe Holloway, North Forrest Athletic supporter,
District 2 Supervisor Sharon Thompson
and Quenton Loving, Men’s Basketball Coach.
The Mississippi Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus is pleased
to announce its annual scholarship recipients. Each year the caucus
awards 14 scholarships in the amount of $1,000.00 each to graduating
high school seniors who will attend a Mississippi University, College or
University, College or Community college.
Presenting the award is District 2 Supervisor, Sharon Thompson.
Hazard Mitigation Plan (PDF)
Peace Officers Memorial Day 2020
video
Testing Dates
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Latest News
Resources Link
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Forrest General Hospital Press Conference-> Link
Hattiesburg Leaders discuss plans and the latest updates
on the Coronavirus (Video) –> Link
East Hardy Street Project
Drive-by Video (PC)
Fly-Over Video (PC)
Lower Leaf Watershed FEMA Flood Map Presentation 2019 (PDF)
The appeal period is on hold until further notice, per FEMA.
Check back for update.
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Charles Marshall was recognized and commended by the Board of Supervisors, for his many years of
distinguished service as District 2 Supervisor after the November 18th Board meeting.
A Proclamation was adopted and presented to Mr. Marshall before a large gathering of local elected
officials, dignitaries family and many friends who participated in a luncheon.
January 5, 2020, will mark the final day in office for Supervisor Marshall after serving for six consecutive
terms as District 2 Supervisor; twenty-four years on the Board, including two as its President and four
as its Vice-President. Mr. Marshall is instrumental in improved meeting and recreational facilities
at the Glendale, North Forrest, and Rawls Springs Community Centers similarly testify to Charles
dedication to the citizens of District 2 over the past three decades, as do new and improved athletic
facilities and storm shelters at the Rawls Springs Elementary and North Forrest Elementary and High Schools.
The Dixie Volunteer Fire Department accept delivery of a 2019 Typhoon Chassis E-One
Pumper, prior to the Forrest County Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Forrest County Comptroller Penny Steed, makes a presentation to the Public
and the Board of Supervisors detailing the upcoming FY’20 Budget.
Select link below to display Budget details:
Forrest County FY’20 Budget (PDF)
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Forrest County Farmer’s Market
1200 Corinne Street, on block off Broadway Drive, Hattiesburg, MS
7am – Noon Wednesdays & Saturdays, year-round
Local vendors in an enclosed indoor space offering Gifts, Art, Crafts,
Furniture, Toys, Fresh produce in all seasons and Ready-to-eat items.
The Board of Supervisors publicly commended Quitman Griffin with a Proclamation for his decades
of service as a member of the Tax Assessor’s office upon the occasion of his retirement.
Quitman has been employed with the Tax Assessor’s office since October 21, 1981.
Pictured with Quitman is his wife Donna and their grandson.
May 2018
Supervisor David Hogan performs the ribbon cutting at the Dixie Community Center
Little Library dedication. The project originated when Shirley Carter reached out to
David Hogan about creating an honor system library at the Community Center.
The library will run as an honor system where kids will be able to take books and bring
them back, or donate books.
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November 20, 2017
The Board of Supervisors recognized Petal School District, it’s Superintendent, staff,
students and their families for achieving the ranking of the No.1 school district in the
State of Mississippi.
Petal was one of only 15 districts in the state to achieve an A rating by the Mississippi
Department of Education.
David Hogan presented the award to Superintendent Matt Dillon.
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(Click to enlarge)
October 19, 2017
The Board of Supervisors inspect a new Firetruck received by the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department.
The truck is a Peterbilt 1,000 gallon pumper with a 1,250 GPM (gallons per minute) pump.
This truck replaces their previous 17 year old truck that was totaled in a 2016 wreck.
With the help of an insurance settlement and a $50,000 contribution from the county’s general fund,
the fire department financed the remaining balance of $48,000.
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January 3, 2017
Forrest County Chancery Clerk, Jimmy C. Havard, swears in the newly elected
Forrest County, MS Election Commissioners.
Tyler Wood, District 1 Commissioner
Barbara Johnson, District 2 Commissioner
Lucretia Sug Jenkins, District 3 Commissioner
Nancy Faye Noble, District 4 Commissioner
Sue Polk, District 5 Commissioner
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March 16,2015
The Rawls Springs and McLaurin Volunteer Fire Department both received new Fire Trucks
prior to the Board of Supervisors meeting Monday.
The trucks were purchased in part by a rural fire truck acquisition assistance program along
with matching grants from the county, and with fire department insurance rebate programs.
The acquisition of these new fire trucks help the VFD’s to keep lower fire insurance ratings.
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David Hogan-President District 1, Sharon Thompson-District 2,
Burkett Ross-District 3, Rod Woullard-Vice President-District 4,
Chris Bowen-District 5