Supes OK actions during pandemic
By Steve Swogetinsky
The Kemper Messenger
The Kemper County board of supervisors made several emergency actions they took earlier in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic official during last Monday's meeting.
The meeting was held over the phone for the protection of county personnel.
Supervisors approved the board minutes from board meetings and emergency meetings which were held in March.
That included special emergency declarations that included closing the courthouse and then limiting access to the public.
The county is operating under the governor's order to shelter in place through April 20 because of the pandemic. County offices have remained open with most of the business being handled by email or over the phone.
"We continue to urge everyone to limit their trips out and to stay home," Board president Johnny Whitsett. "We want everyone to understand this is a very serious matter. This virus is dangerous to all and can easily be spread."
During the meeting, elected officials explained how their offices are running.
Supervisors closed all access to Kemper Lake during the executing order. The extension office has also been closed.
Supervisors also approved the claims docket and the county payroll.
Sheriff James Moore brought several matters before the board. He discussed tightening the ordinance dealing with log trucks and law enforcement.
At his request, supervisors approved replacing a squad car that had been totaled in an accident. They discussed payment of a bill for a recent committal. They also approved titles for three new vehicles for the sheriff's department.
In other matters, supervisors voted to:
-Approve a contract with GovEase;
-Approve an amended lease contract with Emilia;
-Approve a contract with Three Rivers to handle the billing for garbage pickup;
-Approve a contract with Belinda Stewart Architectures for providing architectural services as part of the Archives & History grant for the Courthouse;
-Accept the estimate from Air Management in the amount of $1,248 to: (1) repair train heat pump, (2) install 10 pounds of R22 refrigerant, (3) install new liquid line heat pump drier, (4) install nitrogen leak test and (5) repair hole in copper tube at the Ruby Rankin Farmer's Market Building;
-Acceot the meal log for the Kemper-Neshoba Regional Correctional Facility for the month of March 2020; and,
-Approve an order to amend the budget by moving $2,000 from the Other Contractual Services account to the Equipment accounty.