Bridgette Bell

The board agenda includes several projects involving technology plan approvals, procurement exemptions, and planned purchases. Key projects include a change order for the pension administration system for the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi, an exemption for Campus Security Modernization at the University of Mississippi, and network infrastructure upgrades for Mississippi State University. Additionally, the board will consider a VMware licensing renewal for the state private cloud, the sole-source acquisition of a mobile detection and enforcement system for the Department of Public Safety, and the continuation of an agreement for virtual tutoring services for the Mississippi Community College Board. Other business includes an executive director report on recent approvals, the election of a board chair and vice-chair, authorization of board member expenses, and planning for the upcoming fiscal year meeting schedule.

The meeting includes reports from the Executive Director regarding employment, contracts, and procurement updates. The Office of Marine Patrol reports on citations and honors officers with awards. The Office of Coastal Resources Management reviews applications for filling coastal wetlands for a rail line construction in Jackson County and for pier and bulkhead construction for a shrimp processing facility in Harrison County. Additionally, the agenda covers state saltwater finfish record recognition by the Office of Marine Fisheries and updates on public affairs.

The meeting agenda included opening remarks featuring an Executive Director Update. New business items are scheduled for review, specifically concerning a Website Proposal Review and Next Steps, and the UMMC/GLI Science Fair. The council will also discuss the scheduling for the next meeting, potentially moving future sessions to Thursdays at 2:00 PM.

This strategic plan outlines key goals, challenges, and strategies for the management of the State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan for 2026-2031. It aims to improve the overall health and wellbeing of participants, promote greater efficiency in healthcare delivery, and ensure participant satisfaction with health insurance benefits, ultimately striving to positively influence the health and quality of life of all Plan participants by providing affordable, quality, and coordinated healthcare coverage.

The board meeting included consideration of numerous items, including a contract with Amena Trade & Investment to foster new investment opportunities and promote Mississippi exports to Europe, and a contract with Balch & Bingham, LLP for specialized legal counsel. The board also considered amended grant agreements for Scotsman Manufacturing Company and Columbia Industries LLC, as well as a second amended grant agreement for Kengro Corporation. Additionally, the agenda included Gulf Coast Restoration Fund Grants for the City of Long Beach's Long Beach Harbor Complex Restoration Project, applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for Howard Industries, Inc. and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C., and a Site Development Grant agreement to the Union County Board of Supervisors. Other items included a Health Care Industry Facility Certificate to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Flowood, LLC, a certification for BUCK-NEKKID FOR JESUS as a Motion Picture, documents for the Small Business Loan Guaranty Program, Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive Certificates and Agreements, Advance AI Skills Training Grant Agreements, and an agreement to pay a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes between Warren County, the City of Vicksburg, and Amazon Data Service, Inc. The meeting also ratified loan agreements according to the Agribusiness Enterprise Loan Program.