Meeting Summary
Monday, May 18, 2026

This summary is intended to document what was discussed and decided during the meeting. It follows the agenda in order and reflects the substance of each item.

Supervisor Daniel Harris was not present.

1. Approval of Minutes (May 4, 2026)

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

2. Unfinished Business

Candidate for 13th Chancery District Judge

Candidate Zachary Vaughn was unable to attend due to a family death.

No action taken.

3. Pat Harrison Waterway District / Flint Creek Water Park Update

Representatives from Flint Creek and the Pat Harrison Waterway District provided updates on park operations, staffing, economic impact, and future funding.

Discussion included:

• Recognition of two recent rescue incidents involving Flint Creek staff
• Lifeguards responding to a medical emergency involving a young girl
• A fisherman rescued after falling into Flint Creek Lake
• Updated visitation numbers estimated at approximately 260,000 visitors over the past 10 months
• Continued cabin renovations and lodge improvements
• Tulula campground expansion
• Efforts to secure additional state and federal funding for road and infrastructure improvements
• A potential $2 million federal funding request advanced through Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for park roads and infrastructure improvements

Presentation only. No vote.

Stone County Administrator

4. Payment to Neel Schaffer – Bulldog Boulevard Pathway
5. Payment to Wildstone Construction – Bulldog Boulevard Pathway

Final payments for completed Bulldog Boulevard pathway work discussed.

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

6. MASIT Election of Trustees Ballot

Board completed trustee ballot process.

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

7. America’s 250th Birthday Celebration

Discussion included:

• Community participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary
• Courthouse participation and security considerations
• Volunteers and staffing needs

Tabled for Executive Session.

8. Personnel Report

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

9. Fox Everett

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

10. Payroll Approval (Period Ending April 24, 2026)

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

Stone County Sheriff’s Department

11. National Sheriffs’ Association Conference

Discussion included scholarship assistance that would reduce county travel cost.

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

Stone County Circuit Clerk

No Agenda Items

Stone County Tax Assessor/Collector

12. Desoto Treated Materials Tax Exemption Application
13. Hood Industries Tax Exemption Application
14. Biorigin Tax Exemption Application

Applications for Desoto Treated Materials, Hood Industries, and BiOrigin discussed related to equipment replacement and expansion.

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

15. Stella Jones Freeport Warehouse Request

Warehouse tax exemption request discussed.

Motion made to deny request.
Vote: 4–0

Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Grant Update

Discussion included:

• Approximately $10,000 in phase-one funding awarded
• Funding intended for early work on renovation of the former road department building
• Gathering quotes for roof and exterior improvements

Discussion only. No vote.

Stone County Road Department –

16. Make Exception to the Personnel Policy for Under-18 Hire

Discussion included:

• Seasonal summer employment
• Parent consent requirements
• Limited work responsibilities
• No operation of heavy equipment

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

Oneal- Bond Engineering

17. SABP-66(02) Bridge Replacement Project State Aid Program for Big Four Road No SA66-012 over Kirby Creek

State Aid bridge replacement project over Kirby Creek discussed.

Discussion included:

• Programming the project now to prepare for future funding
• No immediate county cost
• Current bridge repair update and expected inspection timeline

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

Stone County Buildings and Grounds

18. American Red Cross Fee Waiver – Big Level Community Center
19. MSU Extension 4-H Fee Waiver – Magnolia Community Center

Fee waiver request discussed.

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

Stone County Chancery Clerk

20. Engineer’s Report

Engineer’s report received regarding Portal Creek Bank Road.

No vote.

Claims Docket

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4-0

21. Public Hearing – Closure of Portion of Magnolia Avenue (McHenry)

Public hearing opened regarding closure of a portion of Magnolia Avenue.

No public comments were made.

Public hearing closed.

22. Closure of Portion of Magnolia Avenue (McHenry)

Motion made and approved.
Vote: 4–0

Departments with No Agenda Items

The following departments had no business on the agenda:

• Stone County Regional Correctional Facility
• Stone County Medical Examiner’s Office
• Stone County Justice Court
• Stone County Recreation Department
• Stone County Veteran Services
• Stone County Building and Planning Department

23. Non Agenda Comments

Flint Creek Fireworks Event

A representative requested continued county support for the annual Flint Creek fireworks event scheduled for July 3.

Motion made and approved for the same annual support as previous years.
Vote: 4–0

America’s 250th Anniversary Participation

Discussion included concern that few organizations across the county are currently participating in the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration planning.

No action taken.

Executive Session 9:42 am

Motion made and approved to enter executive session for:

• Legal matters
• Personnel matters
• Property matters

Vote: 4-0

Executive Session Ended 11:00 am

No public statement was made following executive session.

Adjournment 11:01 am