Stone County Board of Supervisors | June 15, 2026
At this meeting: The Mississippi Department of Health presented concerns about a relocation that would downgrade Stone County’s health clinic from Level 2 to Level 1 and reduce services for hundreds of residents. The board granted a 90-day extension. The sheriff was recognized for a state board appointment. Hurricane debris removal bids were opened. The county authorized a letter requesting flood damage assistance from NRCS. A $395,000 airport grant with no local match was approved.
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.
1. Approval of Minutes — June 1, 2026
Motion made and approved.
Passed
2. Stone County Administrator — Updated Personnel Policy
The administrator presented an updated personnel policy for board approval.
Discussion included:
- The policy has been updated and brought into full compliance
- Tonya was recognized by name for the significant amount of work she put into coordinating, cleaning up, and updating the policy
- Board members expressed appreciation for her effort
Motion made and approved.
Passed 5-0
3. Personnel Report
Motion made and approved.
Passed 5-0
4. Mississippi Department of Health — Letter of Request / Relocation and Service Level Discussion
This was the most substantive discussion of the meeting. A regional representative from the Mississippi Department of Health addressed the board at length about the impact of the proposed relocation of the Stone County Health Department and to clarify what was reported in the local newspaper.
Discussion included:
- The Stone County Health Department currently operates as a Level 2 clinic providing nursing services and a range of public health programs
- The department served approximately 34 clients in a recent period; 1,473 clients in 2024 — all Stone County residents
- Approximately 875 contracts are currently active; 25 were not impacted by the government shutdown
- 85 to 90 clinical services are currently provided inside Wiggins
- Services currently offered include: WIC, immunizations and shot records, STI and STD testing and treatment, TB testing, early intervention for children with disabilities, and fingerprinting
- The proposed new location will not support the current level of clinical services; the move would effectively downgrade the department from Level 2 to Level 1
- Under the state’s new model, Level 2 facilities are required to operate 5 days per week with a full clinical structure; the current location was on track to meet that standard
- Stone County is one of a limited number of Level 2 facilities in South Mississippi; the nearest other Level 2 facilities are in George County and Harrison County; Jackson County operates at Level 3
- The representative noted the new building is not ready for occupancy and the 30-day timeline is not sufficient for a proper transition — packing a facility that has operated for close to 80 years requires months of planning
- Grant compliance requirements, vendor notifications, and furniture logistics all require time; the July 1 deadline would force staff to halt other operations to manage the move
- The representative emphasized the department is not trying to be difficult and is willing to work with the board on a solution
- Board members asked whether the current building could be renovated to accommodate a Level 2 facility; the representative indicated it was possible
- One supervisor moved for a 90-day extension to allow proper planning
Motion made and approved to grant a 90-day extension for the health department relocation.
Passed 5-0
5. Consent for Final Payment and Project Engineers Statement — Bulldog Boulevard Project
Motion made and approved.
Passed 5-0
6. Payroll — Period Ending May 22, 2026 and Payable May 29, 2026
Payroll total: $293,054.36
Motion made and approved.
Passed 5-0
Note: Budget season is underway. Department submissions are due back by July 6.
7. Stone County Medical Examiner’s Office — 2026 Summer Conference Registration
Motion made and approved.
Passed 5-0
8. Stone County Sheriff Department — Acknowledgement of Appointment
Sheriff Todd Stewart was recognized for his appointment by Governor Reeves to the Mississippi Board of Standards and Training for Law Enforcement.
Discussion included:
- The board sets standards and policies for all law enforcement agencies in Mississippi, including training requirements
- The board is currently reviewing an increase to statewide law enforcement training requirements
- The sheriff previously served on the committee that updated training standards during his time as director of a training academy
- The board congratulated the sheriff and expressed pride in the appointment
No vote required.
9. Stone County Tax Assessor / Collector — Petition for Reduction of Assessment, Real Property
Motion made and approved.
Passed 4-0
10. Homestead Notice of Adjustment 2025
The Tax Assessor / Collector presented a homestead notice of adjustment received from the state regarding a P.O. Box issue on homestead applications.
Discussion included:
- The state issued a chargeback notice because some applications listed a P.O. Box rather than a physical address on a specific field
- Until approximately two years ago, the county’s software automatically placed the P.O. Box on that address line; the state’s own mailings went to that address, making the listing appear compliant
- The assessor described the chargeback as a technicality and indicated she had already emailed the state requesting reconsideration; no response had been received
- Board members suggested drafting a formal challenge letter; staff indicated they would look into the relevant statute
Received for the record. No vote taken. Item to be followed up.
11. Homestead Exemption Application Corrections
Motion made and approved.
Passed
12. Oneal Bond Engineering — Family Cemetery Petition
A petition for a private family cemetery off Highway 15 on Bond Cemetery Road was presented.
Discussion included:
- The petitioner, Mr. Rosetti, is requesting approval for a private family cemetery on his property
- A survey of the marked area has been completed and road access exists via an existing easement
- The item was tabled because a formal written letter of request from Mr. Rosetti himself — rather than his surveyor — had not yet been provided; the letter must also include required information such as distance from a hospital or medical facility
- Item will return at the next meeting once the letter is in hand
Motion made and approved to table pending receipt of the petitioner’s letter.
Passed
13. Oneal Bond Engineering — Letter Requesting Assistance from NRCS
The county engineer presented a letter requesting assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program following recent flooding.
Discussion included:
- Counties have 60 days from a flood event to notify NRCS of damage and intent to seek EWP assistance; submitting the letter does not obligate the county to proceed
- Identified potential EWP sites include Wolf Pit Creek Road, which has a history of flooding, and New Hope Road
- EWP is best suited for major infrastructure damage — significant road washouts, rip-rap needs, and similar large-scale work; it does not cover pipe replacement, which is treated as a maintenance issue
- For pipe-related damage, Pat Harrison Watershed District grants are a better fit as they do cover pipes, though the process takes approximately six months
- EWP projects can reach $1 million or more with approximately a 20% county match
- Dirt and rip-rap and limestone are covered; asphalt is not
- The board had sufficient damage to justify submitting the notification letter
Motion made and approved unanimously to authorize submission of the NRCS notification letter.
Passed 5-0
14. Bid Openings — 2026 Hurricane Debris Removal
The county engineer presented five debris removal bids for the record. Two monitoring firms and five debris removal contractors submitted bids.
Monitoring firms:
- Burlington Civil + Land
- Oneal Bond Engineering
(Monitor costs are reimbursable through FEMA.)
Debris removal bids received:
- TFR Enterprises — SC license number 21954 — vegetative debris collection: $6.95 per cubic yard
- Looks Great Services — LC license number 18782 MC — vegetative debris collection: $7.95 per cubic yard
- Triple A General Contractor — license number not listed on envelope (noted for the record)
- Tally Land Services
- Holiday Construction — MC license number 13111
Discussion included:
- Bids cannot be evaluated on face value alone; pricing varies by debris type and storm size — a small storm may favor one contractor while a large storm may favor another
- The engineer will compile all bids into a spreadsheet comparing costs across storm scenarios and bring the analysis back to the board at the next meeting
- The county has the option to award a pre-contract now or wait until an event occurs; pre-contract pricing is included in this advertisement
- If a pre-contract is awarded, that contractor is obligated to respond; failure to perform would constitute a breach
Bids taken under advisement. Analysis to return at next meeting.
15. Tice Engineering — Mississippi Transportation Commission Multi-Modal Funding Agreement, Dean Griffin Memorial Airport
Tice Engineering presented a multi-modal funding agreement for the Dean Griffin Memorial Airport.
Discussion included:
- Total project value: approximately $395,000
- Grant funding covers 65% with no local match required — described in discussion as free money for the county
- The project complements the FBO building already planned for the airport
Motion made and approved.
Passed 5-0
16. Stone County Chancery Clerk — Advertise County Resources, NAACP
Motion made and approved to advertise county resources through the NAACP publication at $25 for the yearly listing.
Passed 5-0
17. Pine Belt Mental Health — Quarterly Report
Received for the record. No vote required.
18. Order Setting Salary — 8th Chancery District Support Staff
An order setting salary for chancery district support staff was presented for approval, covering the remainder of the current calendar year ahead of the district transition to the new 13th District in January 2027.
Motion made and approved.
Passed 5-0
19. Accounts Payable Docket — June 15, 2026
Motion made and approved.
Passed 5-0
20. Stone County Emergency Management / E-911 — Purchase of 2017 Ford Explorers from Mississippi State Surplus
The Emergency Management director presented an opportunity to purchase surplus vehicles from the state.
Discussion included:
- Four 2017 Ford Explorers were identified at the Mississippi State Surplus office; they were previously operated by the state auditor’s office
- Two vehicles have approximately 160,000 miles; one has approximately 180,000 miles
- Price: approximately $4,900 for one vehicle (verify remaining prices against packet)
- Vehicles are in good condition; all will need two batteries
- Board discussion reflected interest in purchasing at least one vehicle; a hold was placed on all three (verify final number approved)
- Suggested uses include road monitoring, department vehicles, and general county use
Motion made and approved to purchase one vehicle, with a hold maintained on the remaining vehicles pending further review.
Passed
(Verify final action — your notes reference “purchase 1 for penny / hold on all 3 by ENA.” Confirm what was approved before publishing.)
21. Stone County Buildings and Grounds — Repairs and Use of 217 North Parker Street
Penny Naramore presented a proposal to repair a county-owned property at 217 North Parker Street.
Discussion included:
- The property is located near First Baptist Church; the building is older than 2000
- The building has been vacant approximately 2 years with no written agreement currently in place for its use
- Minor repairs only are needed — all work to be done in-house
- Estimated repair cost: approximately $4,500
- The building could accommodate approximately two offices and has good parking
- Prior to repairs, the board agreed the county should confirm in writing that no verbal or written agreement with a prior occupant exists; repairs from Griffin referenced in discussion
- Board noted the building would benefit the county for office space needs as the county continues to grow
Motion made and approved to proceed with in-house repairs.
Passed 5-0
Stone County Road Department — No Agenda Items
Stone County Regional Correctional Facility — No Agenda Items
Stone County Justice Court — No Agenda Items
Stone County Recreation Department — No Agenda Items
Stone County Veteran Services — No Agenda Items
Stone County Building and Planning Department — No Agenda Items
22. Non-Agenda Public Comments
Tom Bond addressed the board. Public comments were limited to three minutes.
23. Call for Executive Session
Executive session was called.
No public statement was made following executive session.
This summary follows the agenda in order and reflects the substance of each item. It is intended to document what was discussed, what action was taken, and what residents may want to know if they missed the meeting.