County’s fire departments to receive money from state

All 12 volunteer fire departments in Neshoba County are set to receive over $40,000 each from the state Legislature to purchase new fire trucks and firefighting equipment.

Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Jenifer Branning and Rep. Scott Bounds, the Legislature allocated $500,000 during this year’s session to support the county’s fire departments. 

These funds, administered by the state Department of Finance and Administration, were recently received by the Board of Supervisors after the legislation took effect on July 1.  

Supervisors approved equally distributing the funds at their regular Monday meeting, with each department receiving $41,666.67.

The fire departments plan to use the funds for critical needs, including personal protective equipment (turnout gear), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), fire trucks, and other essential gear.

“The funding will be very beneficial,” said County Administrator Jeff Mayo. “Turnout gear for one firefighter costs over $5,000, and an SCBA costs more than $8,000.”

In other business, supervisors voted to:

• Approve paying the District Attorney $500 for a pre-trial disbursement in the State vs. Dexter Lyndale Magee case;

• Approve paying the Neshoba General invoice in the amount of $37,791 for feeding inmates;

• Approve a permit request from the Central Water Association for a road bore along or under Road 505 and approve moving the water main onto the county right-of-way;

• Approve two 16th Section lease agreements in the Neshoba County School District for Catina Clark on Road 355 and for Timothy Mark Ladd on Road 383;

• Approve two Neshoba County school bus turnarounds at 10241 Road 165 and 10220 Road 1321;

• Approve paying state Coroner Medical Examiner Association dues in the amount of $400;

• Approve a travel request for Deputy Coroner Jack Foster to attend the MSCMEA Winter Conference from Feb. 12-14 in Flowood and pay a registration fee of $250;

• Approve paying Burks-Mordecai Builders $27,713 for work completed on the Emergency Management storage building project;

• Approve a release and settlement with Simmons Erosion Control for $2,752 to replace a fire hydrant that was damaged during the Highway 19 project at Tucker Fire Department;

• Approve paying five travel vouchers for the following election commissioners for travel during election night: Sherry Nance—$71.02, Deaneen Savell—$40.60, Joseph Dewayne Sharp—$76.38, Melanie Barnett—$142.58, and Charlene Kirksey—$26.13;

• Approve paying state Justice Court Clerks Association dues in the amount of $550;

• Approve a travel request for supervisors to attend the MAS 2025 Mid-Winter Legislative Conference from Feb. 5-7 at the Sheraton Refuge Hotel in Rankin County.