Coahoma County supervisors will wait on a possible garbage fee increase after being approached by Republic Services.
The county was approached by Republic’s David Greene saying the company needed a $1 increase in monthly garbage bills to county residents to remain profitable. It was the second time Republic had asked for the rate hike and the second time supervisors said they would wait on the increase.
The county’s contract with Republic is set for renewal next fall. The county has roughly 3,000 homes.
“We did not put $3,000 in the budget this year,” said Board President Johnny Newson. “We set our budget in September and that would have been the time to approach us.”
Both the city – with approximately 9,000 home and business customers – and county use Republic.
The board discussed raising the millage it levies for garbage on property owners, but pointed out that, too, has to be done in September.
The county levies 5 mills to cover the cost of garbage collection. One mill raises approximately $170,000.
Coahoma County used to collect garbage fees, but found some people didn’t’ pay and found themselves, like Republic, operating at a loss. That was one of the reasons they contracted with Republic.
“People want to be safe and they want things clean,” said Dist. 1 Supervisor Paul Pearson. “We need to look at the numbers. Maybe we will re-bid this, but I don’t think we are ready to raise rates right now.”
Greene said the rate increase was a request and Republic was recently hit with a $114,000 increase from the transfer station where it dumps Coahoma County garbage.
“This is a business and I appreciate your business,” said Greene. “I hope when you get your numbers together you can do something for.”
The county took no action on the request.
In other business:
• The county rejected a single bid of $3 million for and economic development project with ILEX. The bid would have renovated a local building for ILEX and had a projected cost of about $1 million. Supervisors voted to re-advertise for bids.
The company announced it was coming to Coahoma County in November 2021 and stated it was a $2.612 million corporate investment and would create 60 jobs. At that time ILEX Organics, was a supplier of yaupon tea and Mississippi-grown catfish fillets.
• The county voted to tear down the old jail on the banks of the Sunflower River in Clarksdale. On a motion by Pearson and second by Dist. 2 Supervisors Pat Davis, the board agreed to clean up the lot itself with work to empty the building to begin immediately. The county moved to its new Justice Center on Desoto Avenue in the fall of 2021.
• The county has advertised for a County Fire Chief and discussed hiring Clarksdale City Commissioner Willie Turner for the post. County Administrator Kim Seals said Turner was being paid $55,000 as the warden for the county jail. Seals said Turner had asked for a salary of $72,000. The board took the matter under advisement.
• The county approved the purchase of six F-250 trucks, a car for $249,148 to be paid from county bond funds. Two vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department were purchased for $63,000 and will come out of the sheriff’s budget.
The board discussed personal use of county vehicles as the trucks will be used by county road department personnel and supervisors and will be taken home. Supervisors pointed to a State Auditor’s report received by the county that spells out how county-owned vehicles are to be used by county employees.
• The board carried forward a request from Clarksdale Collegiate Charter School to purchase the old county shed on Friar’s Point Road at a reduced rate. The charter school would use the building as its bus barn.
• Supervisors agreed to meet Thursday and tour county roads as it adjusts it 4-year county road plan for 2023.
• The board was approached to allow Coahoma County High School PTO seeking the waiver of fees to host a Spring Fling dance at the Expo Center.
Newson said the county needed more information about the event and whatever the county did it had to be fair to others seeking to use facility. The board took the matter under advisement.
• The board accepted resignations with the Sheriff’s Department and a request to hire two new deputies.
