The Poplarville Board of Aldermen heard a presentation by president and owner of Perkinton’s Trinity Consulting Group Sonny Woodard about future municipal grant opportunities.
Mayor Brad Necaise invited Woodard to Tuesday’s meeting to inform the board of grant availability for playground equipment.
“I felt that we might want to add playground equipment at Railroad Park and one day might want to make use of the old Movie Star property,” Necaise said.
Woodard explained that the average price for a full set of high quality playground equipment is about $24,000.
There would be a 35 percent match on the city’s part and if more than $75,000 is spent the grant would match dollar for dollar, Woodard said. The city would be responsible for about $37,000 for a match.
The deadline for this grant is Nov.15 and board members agreed to set the matter aside to discuss it at a later date. The next deadline for a grant of this nature will be in September 2015.
Woodard mentioned a number of other grant opportunities including methamphetamine training for law enforcement, USDA funding for equipment and MDOT’s safe pathways to schools.
Necaise asked Woodard to return at a later date and host a work session about grants.
“Tourism is really big in Mississippi right now,” Woodard said. “The governor is pushing a lot of money down now. A lot of money is being given to the Chambers. Those deadlines have passed for this year but there’s always next year.”

In other action:
Poplarville Chief of Police Charlie Fazende reported the completion of random canine checks at the high and middle schools with the aid of the Biloxi Police Department.
“Biloxi law enforcement officers brought three canines with them and I’m happy to report that the dogs didn’t sniff out any drugs,” Fazende said.
Fire Chief Bobby Strahan reported a total of 42 calls for the month of October. Strahan informed the board of plans to apply for two grants for turnout gear and a grant to help fund additional firefighters.
“We talked to about 1,245 children in schools and daycare centers about fire prevention this month,” Strahan said.
The board approved a $27,000 contract with The Walker Associates for the city services for the Hwy 26 east water line extension. According to engineer Jason Lamb, construction will begin around the end of February.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. in board chambers at City Hall.