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August 17, 2026

Sep 18, 2026

Agenda of the

Forrest County Board of Supervisors

Date: Monday, August 17, 2026

 

  • Call to Order

 

  • Public Forum (5 Minutes)

 

  1. SMPDD
  2. Billy Owen, P.E. (MDOT)

 

 

  • Approve or Amend Agenda

 

Approve Consent Agenda Items    A-M

 

 

Motion: Mordica 2nd:  Stringer    Vote: Yes

 

  1. Continue in effect the Board President’s March 13, 2020, Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency in connection with COVID-19 Pandemic pursuant to Miss Code Section 33-15-17(d).

 

  1. Monthly Department Reports- July – 2026
  2. The Meal Log, as submitted for Juvenile Detention (660)
  3. The Surrendered Tag Report, as submitted by Zac Howell, Tax Collector
  4. The Maintenance Report, as submitted by Dan Lee, Maintenance Supervisor.
  5. The Road & Bridge Report, as submitted by Kyle Mims, Road Manager
  6. The Multi-Purpose Report, as submitted by Jeremiah Branch, Director
  7. The Planning Department Report, as submitted by Corey Proctor, Planning Director

 

 

  1. Acknowledgements
  2. Acknowledge and authorize County Offices to be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of the Labor Day Holiday per Section 3-3-7(2), Miss Code of 1972; and consider rescheduling the Forrest County Board of Supervisors meeting set Monday, September 7, 2026 to Tuesday, September 8, 2026, due to the holiday closing.
  3. Acknowledge payment to PEARL COMM FIBER in the amount of $104.95, Check No. 78805; FEMA Shelter. (Claim No. 535)
  4. Acknowledge payment to PEARL COMM FIBER in the amount of $269.85, Check No. 78803; Carnes VFD-$59.95; Churchwell Rd-$104.95; Arena Drive Detention Center – $104.95. (Claim No. 4536)
  5. Acknowledge payment to PEARL COMM FIBER in the amount of $314.85, Check No. 78804; Dixie Barn-$104.95; Brooklyn Barn-$104.95; McLaurin Pole-$104.95. (Claim No. 519)
  6. Acknowledge and approve permission to remove the attached list of Inventory, as submitted by Deann Clay, Inventory Clerk.
  7. Acknowledge Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Forrest County Juvenile Drug Interview Court Program and Sheree Donaldson, PhD, DNP, (Treatment Provider).
  8. Acknowledge payment to ENTERPRISE FM TRUST in the amount of $18,779.41, Check No. 78823. (Claim No. 4548)
  9. Acknowledge payment to HILTON PENSACOLA BEACH in the total amount of $1,081.18, Check No. 78824 for Constable Tommy Cook for the Annual Training Conference.
  10. Acknowledge payment to NATIONAL CONSTABLES AND MARSHALS ASSOC. in the total amount of $375.00, Check No. 78825 for Constable Tommy Cook.
  11. Acknowledge request to have Road & Bridge disassemble and discard trailer remains at Bobby Chain Airport and where the funds for said destruction are to be paid from Landfill Fund 105, as submitted by Deann Clay, Inventory Clerk.
  12. Acknowledge Letter of Intent for Proposed Retail Economic Development Project to support the proposed location of Rural King Realty, LLC at the Cloverleaf Mall within Hattiesburg, MS.

 

 

  1. Acknowledge the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between Forrest County, MS and Petal, MS, working together in the purchase and installation of culverts within the city limits of Petal and Forrest County is willing to mobilize to the site within the Petal Municipal limits to perform unloading and installation work.
  2. Acknowledge receipt of the certificate from the MS Department of Revenue, a correct copy of the Recapitulation of the Real and Personal Assessment Rolls from the Forrest County Tax Assessor.
  3. Acknowledge and approve authorize the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security (MOHS) Sub Recipient Grant Closeout Form for Grant #25LE018, as submitted by Katie Byrd, Grant Administrator. Authorize Board President to execute.
  4. Acknowledge Revised BJA FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program-Local Solicitation Memorandum of Understanding between Forrest County and the City of Hattiesburg. The revised agreement reflects Forrest County’s allocation of $9,877.00, as submitted by Katie Byrd, Grant Administrator. Authorize Board President to execute.
  5. Acknowledge and approve submission of a Southern Pine Electric Cooperative Members Helping Members Community Trust Fund Grant– Rawls Springs Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $9,710.00. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase thermal imaging cameras and related charging equipment.
  6. Acknowledge and approve permission to apply for the Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging (MLCOA) FY27 TRIAD Grant in the amount of up to $5,000.00 on behalf of the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, as submitted by Katie Byrd, Grant Administrator. If awarded, grant funds will be used to support activities that protect older Mississippians from crime and improve senior safety.
  7. Acknowledge the Quarterly Report of ARPA SLFRF for the 2nd Quarter, 2026, as submitted by Grant Administrator, Katie Byrd.

 

 

  1. Acknowledge and review the estimate from OWENS Business Machines in reference to replace (1) existing copier in Accounts Payable: State Contract No. 8200085486 at 48-Month State Rental Rate, $245.00; New Term– 9/1/2026 to 8/30/2030.
  2. Acknowledge and review the estimate from OWENS Business Machines in reference to upgrading existing copier in the Basement Records Room: State Contract No. 8200085486 at 48-Month State Rental Rate, $159.00; New Term– 9/1/2026 to 8/30/2030.
  3. Acknowledge bid opening on August 11, 2026, for Chancery Building Elevator Modernization Project. Accept only bid received from Bulkhaults Electric Service, LLC in the amount of $446,400.00.
  4. Acknowledge Report of Corey Proctor on problem properties.
  5. Acknowledge the submittal of the Local Government Records Grant to the MS Department of Archives and History. The total amount is $12,750.00 ($10,000.00 grant from MDAH and $2,750.00 from Forrest County). Grant funds will be used to replace and add shelving in the Chancery Clerk’s office.
  6. Acknowledge Chancery Clerk’s request to transfer permanent Board Minutes preservation retention and storage from hard-book binders to digitized computer retention with back-up per Section 19-15-3, Miss. Code Ann. 1972 and for the Clerk to spread upon the Board Minutes such certification and compliance with the Local Government  Records Committee as provided in Section 25-60-1, and said records shalt thereafter be preserved retained and stored by the Board as a record of the County, and provision shall be made for preserving, examination and use of the same and approve destruction thereafter.

 

  1. Chancery Clerk
    1. Acknowledge Cancellation 16th Section Lease of Hattiesburg Public District, PPIN 20091, held by Lexi Sutton in accordance with the default of the annual rental provisions as outlined in said agreement. Authorize Board President to execute.
    2. Acknowledge Cancellation 16th Section Residential Lease of Hattiesburg Public District, PPIN 21358, in accordance with the default of the annual rental provisions as outlined in said agreement. Authorize Board President to execute.
    3. Acknowledge Cancellation 16th Section Quit Claim Deed of Hattiesburg Public District, PPIN 20956, in accordance with the violation of the annual rental provision as outlined in said agreement. Authorize Board President to execute.

 

 

  1. Tax Assessor
    1. Authorize and approve PETITION FOR REDUCTION OF ASSESSMENT for PPIN 20952 for the year of 2025, as submitted by Mary Ann Palmer, Tax Assessor. (Remove Exempt Code)
    2. Authorize and approve PETITION FOR REDUCTION OF ASSESSMENT for PPIN 43139 for the year of 2025, as submitted by Mary Ann Palmer, Tax Assessor. (Removed Mobile Home)
    3. Acknowledge and approve request that the Chargeback for the Homestead Exemption on Phoebe A. Mikell Smith, PPIN 11337 be removed, as submitted by Mary Ann Palmer, Tax Assessor. (Incorrect Social Security Number and longstanding Clerical Error)

 

 

 

  1. Coroner’s Office
    1. Authorize the burial/cremation of the unclaimed body of James Pipkins, pursuant to Order, and letter from Coroner Lisa Klem, and pay Forrest Funeral Home in the amount of $500.00.

 

 

  1. Travel
    1. Authorize and approve Drug Intervention Court Staff: Christopher Thomas to attend the 21st Annual Mississippi Association of Drug court Professionals Conference (MADCP 2026), August 19-21, 2026. The conference will be held at the Oxford Conference Center, Oxford, MS. Conference registration fees are $325 and hotel stay at Tru by Hilton by Oxford for (3) nights is $618.03 for a total of $943.03.

 

 

 

  1. Sponsorships/Advertisements
  2. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to South Forrest Old Country Picnic to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3. The mission is to bring local companies together for fellowshipping, socializing, and to give new local residents a place to come to meet their neighbors, create a family environment and atmosphere.
  3. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to Hattiesburg High School, North Forrest High School, Petal High School, and FCAHS Booster Clubs to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3.
  4. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to 24th Annual Jack Lucas Memorial Golf Tournament to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3. This benefits the Commiskey-Wheat Detachment of the Marine Corps League.
  5. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to William Carey University to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3. This Sponsorship is a partnership between William Carey University and Forrest County Board of Supervisors.

 

  1. Payables
  2. Authorize reimbursement to Breakthrough Community Services in the amount of $4,600.68 for the ramp constructed at 1009 Lynn St from their ARPA
  3. Authorize and approve payment to LEARFIELD COLLEGE, LLC in amount of $45,592.00, Invoice No. 749-268192-723988 for 2026-2027 Southern Miss Sponsorship.
  4. Approve payment to ROCIC in the amount of $500.00 for annual service fee (July 2026 – June 2027) for the FCSO).
  5. Authorize and approve payment to Hampton Inn, hotel stay, in the amount of $12,000.00 for the Bricen Rivers change of venue case for jury selection for 10/17/2026 – 10/31/2026.

 

  1. Authorize and approve payment to Cline Tours in the amount of $1,800.00 for transportation for Circuit Court Jurors and Bailiff in the Bricen Rivers case. (10/17/2026 – 10/31/2026)
  2. Authorize and approve payment to Hotel Indigo Hattiesburg in the amount of $45,380.00 for (15) rooms x (14) nights from 10/17/2026 – 10/31/2026 in the Bricen Rivers case for Circuit Court.
  3. Authorize and approve payment in the amount of $942.50 to Casey May for table sales at Deep South CardCon in June of 2026, as submitted by Jeremiah Branch, Executive Director, The Center at Forrest County.
  4. Authorize and approve final payment to Max MMC, LLC in the amount of $148,400.00 for the completed installation on the audio/video equipment at The Center, as submitted by Jeremiah Branch, Executive Director.
  5. Authorize and approve payment to Advanced Building Spec., Inc. in the amount of $44,593.00, as submitted by Jeremiah Branch, Executive Director of The Center.
  6. Authorize and approve payment to Precision Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,650.00 for rental of the HammH7i Rubber Tired Roller for use at The Center.
  7. Authorize payment to Albert & Robinson Architects in the amount of $20,088.00, Invoice No. 1726.01, for Professional Fees for Design Services through Bidding for Chancery Building Elevator Modernization Project.
  8. Authorize and approve payment to Huntington National Bank in the amount of $3,149.80 for the Credit Card Statement for the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office.
  9. Authorize and approve payment to The Mississippi Bar Association in the amount of $395.00 for the 2026-2027 Annual Enrollment Dues for Jack Denton.

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Capital Outlay Expenditures
  2. Approve Capital Outlay Expenditures:
    1. Mingledorff’s: Maintenance to purchase an AC unit for DHS in the amount of $10,845.01 (2 quotes, see attached)
    2. Pinebelt Door & Hardware: Maintenance to purchase door for DHS, including labor to remove old door unit, install new door and removal of all old materials from the site in the amount of $5000.00 (2 quotes, see attached)
    3. KF Armory: Sheriff to purchase Red Dot Sights in the amount of $6,137.37 (including S&H) from fund 123 (2 quotes, see attached).
    4. Howard Technology Solutions: Sheriff to purchase Fortinet switch firewall renewal in the amount of $2,984.00 using requisition #0264026.
    5. Miskelly: Tax Assessor to purchase 2 accent chairs ($598.49 each/$1,196.98 total) and performance fabric desk chair ($319.99) for a grand total of $1,516.97 using requisition # 0264006.
    6. Lewis Printing: Tax Assessor to purchase a 4-drawer filing cabinet ($1299.00) and Fujitsu High Speed Document Scanner ($99.00) for a grand total of $2,198.00 using requisition # 0264023.
    7. Walt Massey North Forrest VFD to purchase a 2026 Chevy Silverado 2500 in the amount of $57,250.00 (See attached quote)

 

  1. Personnel Action

New Hire:

  1. Donald Ford (FCSO)
  • Full-time with benefits
  • Effective Date: 8/10/2026
  1. Dani Byrd (Tax Collector)
  • Full-time with benefits
  • Effective Date: 8/312026
  1. Jakiyah Polk (Adult Detention)
  • Full-time with benefits
  • Effective Date: 8/24/2026
  1. Donovan Hall (Adult Detention)
  • Full-time with benefits
  • Effective Date: 8/24/2026

Separation of Service:

  1. Marcol Smith (Adult Detention)
  • Misconduct
  • Effective Date: 7/31/2026
    1. Dewayne Hall (Adult Jail)
  • No Call/No Show
  • Effective Date: 8/11/2026

Change:

  1. Ronald Austin Williams (FCSO)
  • Promotion-Patrol to Investigator
  • Rate Change
  • Effective Date: 8/10/2026
  1. Tameika Flowers-Easterling (Maintenance)
  • Change/Transfer
  • Effective Date: 7/4/2026
  1. Sandra Smith (Welfare Maintenance)
  • Change/Transfer
  • Effective Date: 7/4/2026
  1. Jayden Gagnon (Courts)
  • Rate Change/Transfer
  • Effective Date: 8/10/2026
  1. Jon Kenneth Ritchey (Courts)
  • Rate Change/Transfer
  • Effective Date: 8/10/2026

Other :

  1. Jan Hensarling (County Wide)
  • Going on FMLA
  • Effective Date : 8/24/2026

 

 

  1. Claims Docket
  2. Approve Claims Docket, as presented.

 

 

  1. Financial Documents
    1. Approve Financial Documents, as presented.

 

 

End Of Consent Agenda

 

 

  1. Discussion Matters
    1. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to Mississippi Latinx Art Association to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3. We are dedicated to promoting the unique and diverse art of the Latinx Community, celebrating and supporting the Latinx culture in Mississippi.

 

  1. Additional Matters
    1. Approve payment to Petal High School Dance Team in the amount of $2,000.00 to be paid from Rec 3 Funds.
    2. Adopt Order approving Real and Personal Property Assessment Rolls and authorizing Certificate of Final Recapitulation of said Rolls to Department of Revenue.
    3. Approve the purchase of 11 radios for FCSO in the amount of $14,110 for the Adult Detention Center through JAG Grant funds.
    4. Approve the sole source emergency purchase of a replacement server in the amount of $28,150 to be paid from Jail Maintenance budget.
    5. Acknowledge plat WS (will get more info from Lance)
    6. Approve the purchase of metal detectors for Justice Court.
    7. Acknowledge plat SW (will get more info from Lance)
    8. Supervisor Woullard Motioned to establish the need to enter into Executive Session.
    9. Supervisor Stringer Motioned, Seconded by Supervisor Woullard, to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Trade Secret and Personnel matters.
    10. Supervisor Thompson Motioned, Seconded by Supervisor Stringer, to exit Executive Session.
    11. Approve Corey Proctor, Planner, to set a Public Hearing on problem properties.
    12. Approve the lowest quote from Lewis Printing in the amount of $20,998.40 for Circuit Clerk to mail Voter ID Cards and authorize half of payment up front due to the cost.
    13. Approve Supervisors to travel and attend the MAS-MC Conference September 15-16, 2026, in Jackson. The cost of registration is $00 per person.
    14. Approve payment to Huntington Bank in the amount of $3,665.47 for credit cards. (Steve Stringer $1,474.77, Jennifer Slade $882.75, and Roderick Woullard $1,307.95)
    15. Approval to purchase the following vehicles from Enterprise in the total amount of $38,733.80 for FCSO:

26QKB2 – $12,869.78   26QKBJ – $12,932.01   26AKB8 – $12,932.01  

  1. Recess to Thursday, September 3, 2026.

 

 

  1. Taken Under Advisement
    1. Land Roll Protest
    2. Acknowledge and consider Ordinance of Forrest County Regulating Ownership of Dangerous & Potentially Dangerous Dogs.

 

 

 

 

Recess until 10:00 am Thursday, September 3, 2026