Agenda of the
Forrest County Board of Supervisors
Date: Monday, July 6, 2026
– Call to Order
– Public Forum (5 minutes)
1. Lakeylah White
2. Richard Bouchard – Ayden’s Law
3. Allie Cross – Forrest County Miss Hospitality
– Approve June 2026 Minutes
– Approve or Amend Agenda
Approve Consent Agenda Items A-M
Motion: Mordica 2nd: Thompson Vote: Yes
A. 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).
B. Monthly Department Reports- March – 2026
1. The Chancery Report, as submitted by Lance Reid, Chancery Clerk.
2. The Coroner Report, as submitted by Lisa Klem, Forrest County Coroner
3. The Election Commissioner’s Report, as submitted by James Harvison, Lucretia Jenkins, Johneice Dupree, Faye Noble, and Douglas “Butch” Benedict, Election Commissioners
4. The Maintenance Report, as submitted by Dan Lee, Maintenance Supervisor
5. The Justice Court Report, as submitted by Stephen May, Comptroller
6. The Circuit Court Report, as submitted by Gwen Wilks, Circuit Clerk
C. Acknowledgements
1. Acknowledge payment to DISH NETWORK, LLC in the amount of $450.19, Invoice No. 335007568, Check No. 78019 for the Jail.
2. Acknowledge and consider the reappointment of Andrew B. Mercier and Harry (Chip) McArthur, III, to the Forrest General Hospital Board of Trustees.
3. Acknowledge payment to ERIC W. RAY in the total amount of $307.48 for reimbursement of Mileage and MEC fees, Check No. 78031.
4. Acknowledge and approve Delta Computer Systems Software Support Agreement Renewals for FY27: BOS monthly rate is $2,163.67; Chancery Clerk is $97.31; Tax Assessor is $2,873.46; Tax Collector is $2,346.84.
5. Acknowledge the award of the Glendale Avenue Boat Ramp Project to Holliday Construction, LLC in the Additive Alternate bid total in the amount of $512,189.00.
6. Acknowledge letter from the State Medical Examiner’s Office regarding autopsy fee will increase by $200.00, from $1,000 to $1,200, effective July 1, 2026.
7. Acknowledge and approve request to remove the attached list of Inventory, as submitted by Deann Clay, Inventory Clerk.
8. Acknowledge payment to HOSTWAY SERVICES, INC. in the amount of $800.58, Invoice No. 17262625, Check No. 78034.
9. Acknowledge Russell Williams, VSO, as Requisitioner for Veteran’s Office.
10. Acknowledge and approve the Clover SaaS fees for the month of July totaling $99.69.
11. Acknowledge and accept the FY23 State and Local Cyber Security Program from the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security of $141,092.00 for the Forrest County IT Department. Please authorize the Board President to execute, as submitted by Katie Byrd, Grant Administrator.
12. Acknowledge the FY25 Operation Stonegarden Grant Revised Award Documents. The revisions reflect updates issued by FEMA. Authorize the Board President to execute the updated award documents, as submitted by Katie Byrd, Grant Administrator.
13. Acknowledge and authorize the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office to submit a grant application to the FY26 Homeland Security State Border Security Reinforcement Funding Grant, as submitted by Katie Byrd, Grant Administrator.
14. Acknowledge and authorize the submission of a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant on behalf of Rawls Springs Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of turnout gear in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00, as submitted by Katie Byrd, Grant Administrator.
15. Acknowledge and approve Mike Clark to purchase his duty weapon: Glock Model 17, Serial No. SBHT996. Mike’s retirement date was 6/30/2026.
16. Acknowledge receipt of the Petition of Abandonment of easement filed by both contiguous landowners D&S Real Estate Holdings, LLC and South State Enterprises, LLC and authorize Abandonment of a platted easement. Authorize Board President to execute. (See attached)
D. Chancery Clerk
1. Acknowledge 16th Section Residential Lease Agreement between the Petal Board of Education and Lawrence Wayne Berry, Jr. and Linda Joyce Berry, Parcel # 1-035X-16-043, is removing Lawrence Wayne Berry, Jr. from the lease. Lawrence Wayne Berry, Jr. is deceased and Linda Joyce Berry wishes to remove his name from the lease. Authorize Board President to execute.
2. Acknowledge 16th Section Residential Lease between Petal Municipal School District and Paul Stewart, PPIN 012214, with an annual rent of $371.00. This will replace the lease currently issued to Joyce Crosby. Please cancel any taxes, if any, owed by the previous lessee. Authorize Board President to execute.
3. Acknowledge 16th Section Residential Lease between the Petal Municipal District and John Jones, Parcel # 1-035X-16-086.03, with an annual rent of $265.00. Authorize Board President to execute.
E. Tax Assessor
1. Approve PETITION FOR REDUCTION OF ASSESSMENT for PPIN 45354, as submitted by Tax Assessor, Mary Ann Palmer. (Buildings on land improvement are gone.)
2. Approve PETITION FOR REDUCTION OF ASSESSMENT for PPIN 15552, as submitted by Tax Assessor, Mary Ann Palmer. (Buildings not on land.)
F. Sponsorships/Advertisements
1. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to Petal High School Men’s School Soccer to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3.
2. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to Petal Children’s Task Force for Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3.
3. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to Petal High School Soundsations to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3.
4. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to JROTC/Law and Public Safety Leadership Workship to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3. This program is for leadership development and enrichment.
5. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to Crusader Classic JROTC Color Guard Competition to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3
G. Coroner’s Office
1. Authorize the burial/cremation of the unclaimed body of Tommy Thorpe, pursuant to Order, and letter from Coroner Lisa Klem, and pay Pinehaven Funeral Home in the amount of $500.00.
H. Payables
1. Approve payment to divcodata Diversified Companies, LLC, in the total amount of $678.90 (Invoice No. 26-29394, in the amount of $376.40, and Invoice No.26-29394-P, in the amount of $302.50), for Postage second tax notices for Chancery Clerk.
2. Approve payment to Atlas Right of Way Services, LLC in the amount of $975.00 for the Glendale Avenue Boat Ramp Project, Invoice No. 313.
3. Approve and authorize payment to SDW in the amount of $1,575.00 for Subdivision Review-Acadian Revilade, Invoice No. 27991.
4. Approve and authorize payment to SDW in the amount of $2,295.00 for County Bridge Replacement Program (Sims Rd A, Invoice No. 27992.
5. Approve and authorize payment to SDW in the amount of $4,802.50 for Earl Travillion School Sidewalk, Invoice No. 27993.
6. Approve and authorize payment to SDW in the amount of $642.50 for Archie Smith Road, Right of Way Services, Invoice No. 27994.
7. Approve and authorize payment to SDW in the amount of $6,970.00 for Macedonia Road Bridge Replacement, Invoice No. 27995.
8. Approve and authorize payment to SDW in the amount of $1,465.00 for Red Creek Road Right of Way, Invoice No. 27996.
9. Approve and authorize payment to SDW in the amount of $9,305.52 for Countywide Overlay/Microseal, Invoice No. 27997.
10. Approve and authorize payment to OFF DUTY MANAGEMENT in the total amount of $28,312.75 for (4) events: Party on the Dirt – $1,235.50; Great Forrest County Fair – 7,304.75; Great Forrest County Fair – $13,677.25; JB Boxing Night – $287.00; Mother’s Day Blues Festival – $5,709.25.
11. Approve payment to Mississippi Justice Court Clerk’s Association in the amount of $1,150.00. Dues are $250 for the Clerk, Chris Selman and $100 for each Deputy; Robin Breland, April Chimiel, Temeraka Garner, Jessie Phillips, Silvia Thornton, Maranda Pyles, Jessica Savoy, Keiaundria Lester, Abigail Coon, and Ruth Bass.
12. Approve reimbursement in the amount of $5,000.00 to Twin Forks Rising for work at 605 S. Tipton St., Hattiesburg to be paid from ARPA funds.
I. Capital Outlay Expenditures
1. Approve Capital Outlay Expenditures:
a. Star Sheriff’s Dept to purchase a 2023 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van in the amount of $31,846.50 out of fund 124 (see attached quotes).
b. Lewis Printing Sheriff’s Dept to purchase 15 mesh nesting chairs ($185.00 ea) in the total amount of $2775.00.
c. Kaufman Trailers, LLC Roads Dept to purchase 5 trailers in the amount of $59,950 ($11,990ea) (see attached quotes).
d. Dell, Inc. Multi-Purpose Center to purchase a desktop computer and monitor in an amount not to exceed $1700.00.
e. All Hands Fire Equipment, LLC Fire Coordinator to purchase fire equipment in the total amount of $15,462.03 (includes $499.82 shipping) (2nd quote pending).
f. Southern Metal Supply Maintenance to have the metal roof and siding replaced at the Maintenance shop in the amount of $13,113.12 (see attached quotes).
g. Dunn Roadbuilders Maintenance to have the Barrontown walking track repaired ($21,000.00) and the Glendale walking track repaired ($17,500.00) in the total amount of $38,500.00 (see attached quotes).
h. Hinton’s Home Services, LLC Maintenance to have roof put on portico to go up at the Will Denton Community Center in the amount of $2902.52.
i. Danny Bryant Rec 5 to have a portico installed at the Will Denton Community Center in the amount of $17,620.00 (see attached quotes).
j. Dell, Inc. Justice Court to purchase 3 new computers in an amount not to exceed $1200.00 each.
k. American Printing Rec 4 to purchase a double-sided sign recover with installation in the total amount of $1050.00.
l. Struthers Recreation Rec 2 to purchase wood fiber surfacing with border for Glendale Community Center ($3260.00) and shredded rubber surfacing with border for Rawls Springs Community Center ($10,778.00). *Not to exceed $12,000.00*
J. Sole Source Expenditures
B & E Communications Jail Maintenance to purchase cameras with installation in the total amount of $7787.00. (Sole Source due to the cameras are compatible with the system that is already in place that is provided by B & E Communications).
K. Emergency Purchases
1. Garner Lumley Maintenance purchased parts to repair the Circuit Court elevator using PO 167038 (requisition 263303) in the amount of 1949.50. Please find the PO, requisition, letter and quote attached.
2. Gilliland Maintenance had the fire alarm installed in the elevator at the Circuit Court building using PO 167074 (requisition 263346) in the amount of $6430.69. Please find the PO, requisition, letter and quote attached.
L. Personnel Action
New Hire:
1. Brett Owen (Crisis Stabilization Unit)
– Full-time with benefits
– Effective Date: 7/1/2026
2. Austin Super (FCSO)
– Full-time with benefits
– Effective Date: 7/15/2026
3. Merritt Rambin (Bailiff/Courts)
Full-time with benefits
– Effective Date: 7/15/2026
4. Jonathon Gunn (Coroner’s Office)
– Part-time without benefits
– Effective Date: 7/6/2026
Separation of Service:
1. Andretta English (FCSO)
– Deceased
– Effective Date: 6/28/2026
2. Keleisha Young (County/Youth Court)
– Voluntary Resignation
– Effective Date: 8/21/2026
3. Robbie Conway (Tax Collector)
– Performance
– Effective Date : 6/15/2026
Change:
1. Lorcese Mackey (CSU)
– Promotion-C/O to CSU
– Effective Date: 7/1/2026
2. Montez McGee(Road & Bridge)
– Rate Change
– Effective Date: 6/29/2026
3. Billy Frank Weathersby (Road & Bridge)
– Rate change
– Effective Date: 6/29/2026
4. Josie Brown (County/Youth Court)
– Rate Change
– Effective Date: 7/1/2026
M. Claims Docket
1. Approve Claims Docket, as presented
End Of Consent Agenda
N. Discussion Matters
1. Acknowledge and consider the request to close the walking track at Metro as it is a safety hazard and rarely used.
2. Acknowledge and consider Ordinance of Forrest County Regulating Ownership of Dangerous & Potentially Dangerous Dogs.
O. Additional Matters
1. Adopt Order approving the Real and Personal Property Assessment Rolls for the year of 2026 and Preliminary Recapitulation of the Tax Assessor and opening of the Rolls for public inspection of notice to the public of the right to inspect and file objections.
2. Accept donation of Hummer from MS Forestry to Carnes VFD; approval of lower quote in the amount of $5988.00 to have painted equipment added or repaired.
3. Approve payment to Airgas in the amount of $10,649.93 for invoices December -May for Road & Bridge and Fire Services, which were inadvertently sent to incorrect email.
4. Approval for mosquito truck to spray at Civitan Camp.
5. Supervisor Stringer Motioned to establish the need to enter into Executive Session.
6. Supervisor Stringer Motioned, Seconded by Supervisor Mordica to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Personnel.
7. Supervisor Woullard Motioned, Seconded by Supervisor Mordica to exit Executive Session.
8. Approve payment to Precision Fab & Refurbishing in the amount of $35,704.22 for PO No. 166928 for Multi-Purpose Center.
9. Consider the purchase of a sponsorship/advertisement to Hattiesburg Noonday Optimist Club to advertise county resources as per Mississippi Code §17-3-1 and §17-3-3. We provide recreation league baseball to the area youths.
10. Recess to July 16, 2026
Recess until 10:00 am Thursday, July 16, 2026