JONESTOWN — Plans are being put in place to expand the Timothy Burrel Multipurpose Building on Second Street in Jonestown.
Mayor Vivian Burnett said State Rep. Orlando Paden called her last week letting her know state funds may be available to improve the town. First, the city council had to approve a bill allowing the town to find an architect to draw a blueprint and determine the cost of the upgrades. The council unanimously approved those things during Monday night’s meeting.
“He’s going to have some funds and he would like to do something in Jonestown with those funds for next year,” Burnett said. “When he called, he wanted to know what big project he could submit for Jonestown. We have been kind of talking about the fact that the multipurpose building could stand to be larger than what it is. That was the first thing that came to my mind.”
Burnett said she had a local architect in mind she would speak with.
Alderman Yvonne Williams-Brooks proposed making upgrades downtown.
“Could that be a project?” she said. “Build on the front of the store, sidewalks and stuff.”
“I think that is most definitely something that we should be looking at,” Burnett replied. “It’s a very good question because it crossed my mind often. What can we do to make our downtown look better?”
However, Burnett said downtown improvements would be aesthetic and could be done at a later date. She preferred upgrading the multipurpose facility immediately because the entire community would benefit.
Other town improvements were discussed during the meeting.
Burnett brought up a Home grant from the Mississippi Home Corporation for $500,000. It was previously approved, but Burnett reported the 10 houses that would be improved were determined.
She did not know when work on the homes would begin, but she believed it would be in the next three months.
The council also discussed a CDBG grant to improve the sewer system that the city is applying for. On the condition the grant is approved, the council approved hiring local people to do the work and, if possible, women.
Jonestown has received grants before Burnett was mayor to improve the sewage system, but the work was not completed.
“This time, I’m hoping to employ someone who is for Jonestown, someone who is knowledgeable about the system, what is being done and what should be done just to oversee,” Burnett said.
Burnett said she will be staying on top of what is going on.
Findings of a 2018 audit report were also discussed.
Burnett said the report found the town did not tag or account for fixed assets. She said the report also read the town did not contract with a certified public accountant or auditor approved by the state’s audit employees annual audits with 12 months of the fiscal year.
The report recommended the town develop a corrective action plan detailed with procedures and policies it would take or initiate to correct issues. It also recommended monthly bank statements be reconciled on a timely basis.
The report acknowledged town has engaged with Myles CPA Firm out of Tupelo to resolve issues.
Handling traffic violations in Jonestown was another issue addressed during the meeting.
“We are all vying for speed breakers because we know that Jones Street, Blanche Street, this street, that street, Mosley Street, Main Street all around this corner, too many citizens are taking them as speedway, race tracks,” Burnett said. “I mean they have absolutely no respect.”
Concerns were addressed about the police department being understaffed.
Police chief Rico Smith is a full-time officer and officer Stephen James works part-time. The town is looking to hire a third officer.
“When you see something, don’t just say something. You can sign an affidavit,” Smith said. “These are your kids, our kids. You can sign an affidavit. Tell everybody else you know that. I believe we only have a few people that really cut up.”
Smith said if an individual knows they may have an affidavit and warrant for their arrest, he or she will be less likely to commit a violation.
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