Jennifer Mathis

The George County Board of Supervisors held a public budget hearing for FY 2026. The presentation included a discussion about a drop in the millage rate over the past 25 years, the impact of the MS Department of Revenue's increased property values, and the county-wide millage breakdown. The budget for the Sheriff Department was addressed. Projects from FY 2025 were reviewed, including the New Merrill Bridge, Old Hwy. 63 North paving, the new 911 Dispatch Center, Grain Elevator & River Road Improvement Project, New VFD Pumper Trucks, East Wilkerson Ferry Road Improvement Project, Five Beat Fire Hydrant Project, New Soccer Complex, and a new Railroad & Trucking Expansion in the Industrial Park.

The George County Board of Supervisors will adopt the MEMA District 9 Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which includes George County and the City of Lucedale, as well as several other neighboring counties. The plan is intended to help protect the citizens of the county and reduce risk to hazards. The plan is available for public viewing and comment online.

The public budget hearing for FY 2020 covered county-wide millage rates, property taxes, and the breakdown of millage distribution. It was noted that county-wide taxes are determined by both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. The millage breakdown included allocations for the General Fund, MGCCC, Road & Bridge, Volunteer Fire Department, School District, Hospital, and Solid Waste. The General Fund saw an increase in funding, which was allocated to county employees for cost-of-living increases, employee health insurance, the Elections Commission budget, the Jail budget, and the Sheriff Department budget. The Road & Bridge millage will remain at 20.9 mills, and the county will receive significant state bridge grants. Other millage allocations include Lucedale Library, Reappraisal, Mandatory Fund, and Pat Harrison Water District. The county's total budget has increased significantly from FY 2019 to FY 2020, primarily due to one-time emergency bridge funds and industrial park grants.

The George County Bard of Supervisors voted to cancel the May 24 public meeting regarding changes to the County Solid Waste Plan. This decision was prompted by Southern Environmental Services, LLC withdrawing from their proposed medical waste treatment facility project in the County Industrial Park due to assumptions, misinformation, and a lack of consensus by the Board.

George County's Vision Zero Action Plan is committed to eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries, increasing safe travel for all. The plan recognizes that drivers will make mistakes, so the road system and related policies should be designed to ensure those inevitable mistakes do not result in severe injuries or fatalities. The primary goal is to reduce the County's fatal auto accident rate to below the State's average in four years, and further, to the eventual goal to reduce all fatal auto accidents and serious injuries to zero.