Melissa Bryant

The session involved concluding an executive session without taking any action therein. New items were added to the agenda, requiring authorization for the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for both a record management system and a jail management system. Additionally, the board addressed the authorization to purchase approximately 11 acres of real property for county purposes, which included authorizing the county president or administrator to execute closing agreements and issue payment for the transaction. The board subsequently recessed until March 16th.

The meeting commenced with a prayer and focused on several key agenda items. The Fire Coordinator requested and received approval for a 30-day burn ban due to an increase in woods and brush fires, with provisions to revisit the ban earlier if conditions improve. The Board recognized and commended three jailers from the Sheriff's Office, Deputies Cameron Johnson, Jacob Burks, and Dustin Chambers, for life-saving actions taken on December 15, 2025, involving the intervention during an attempted suicide. Additionally, the Board reviewed the renewal of insurance policies with Massid, noting substantial premium reductions across property, equipment, and automobile coverage, while also gaining improved coverages such as cyber liability and the acceptance of the 'blue light rule' for minor claims. Concerns were raised by residents regarding the potential establishment of a cemetery in an agricultural and residential area, leading to a discussion clarifying the difference between a commercial cemetery operation, which requires zoning compliance, and a private family cemetery, which follows a different recording process without public notification.

The meeting included discussion and action on several tax-related matters. A representative addressed personal property tax assessments for CVS and ULTA for the 2025 tax year, requesting corrections due to perceived overassessments of inventory, though a discussion ensued regarding the timeliness of the protest. The Board approved minutes from January 15th and January 29th meetings. Action was taken regarding a mobile home assessment (account 7638) that was double-assessed as both real and personal property, resulting in an authorization for a refund for 2023 and 2024. The Tax Assessor presented items concerning homestead exemption adjustments and petitions for changes in real property assessments. Furthermore, the Board reviewed requests for tax exemptions from Crossgates Baptist Church for an additional property intended for intern housing, and from the United Association of Plumbers Pipe Fitters Local 619 for a future training facility. The church exemption request was tabled pending further review to establish clear policy regarding multiple tax-exempt properties for ministry use, and the union's request was also tabled for the same reason.

The planning commission meeting addressed several agenda items, beginning with technical discussions regarding the relocation from the legacy 911 and radio circuits to a new system, necessitating the hiring of a specialized consultant due to the complexity involving AT&T and Motorola. Key conditional use permit requests included one for Restoration Ministries of Mississippi to operate the state's first recovery ranch on a 26-acre A2 zoned parcel, and another for Greg Burkhalter seeking to mine 4 acres of an A1 zoned parcel. A use permit was requested by Nick Lance Barner for a short-term rental. Anna Bigby requested a conditional use permit to place a manufactured home as a second dwelling for her elderly parents on a 7-acre parcel. Several items (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7) were not set for public hearings pending further discussion. The commission reviewed site plan architectural reviews for the construction of a golf simulator at Castle Woods Country Club and a new fellowship hall at Spring Hill Baptist Church, as well as the construction of a pavilion with restrooms at the Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi. Additionally, the board addressed nuisance property considerations for 213 Allen Drive, declaring it a nuisance due to overgrown weeds and lack of maintenance. Finally, a public hearing was opened to consider condemning the property at 988 Michelle Drive, deemed uninhabitable, with the board authorizing restriction of access pending cleanup remediation.

The meeting proceedings included a motion to enter executive session, which was carried without any action being taken during that session, as reflected in the record. Subsequently, several items were added to the agenda, including discussion on litigation association, amending a motion related to CMPD's call for projects, and consideration/resolution of a litigation matter involving Alan Schmidt. The Board authorized legal counsel to continue negotiations with Southern Ranking Water Association regarding case number 22-C-943, despite some objection regarding prolonging the matter. Further action involved authorizing the resolution of a disputed imminent domain lawsuit based on outlined terms. The Board also approved an amendment to the CMPD call for projects, specifically to include a requested percentage change related to recent county paving. Finally, a request was made for members to share thoughts regarding a tax incentive request that was previously discussed in executive session, followed by a motion to recess the meeting to January 15th.