Board asked about purchases
Published 7:00 am Thursday, July 24, 2014
STATE CONTRACTS: Lee Parish, owner of Poplarville’s Parish tractors, addressed the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors with concerns about county equipment being purchased outside county lines. Parish told supervisors he is set up for state contracting and would like to see county dollars stay with local businesses.
Photo by Cassandra Favre
The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors held its meeting Wednesday morning, where they addressed concerns about county equipment purchasing and phone problems at the Department of Human Services.
Marvin Houston, Director of the Pearl River County Department of Human Services, said he has been waiting for the phone system in his office to be fixed since February.
“The phone will dial out, but doesn’t ring,” Houston said. “That’s a major problem, it’s playing with children’s lives.”
Houston said he has heard complaints from county residents about unanswered phone calls.
District IV Supervisor J. Patrick Lee said the phone system is so antiquated that parts cannot be found to repair it.
There is a place in Hattiesburg where the county can lease a phone system on a month to month basis until a new phone system can be acquired, County Administrator Adrian Lumpkin said.
Lee Parish, of Parish Tractors, attended the meeting to ask why county equipment was not purchased from his company, but rather 90 miles away.
Parish said his business is able to handle state contracts, which local governments use to purchase equipment.
Lee told Parish that maybe Road Manager Dale Miller is unaware that Parish is able to handle state contracts.
“He and I have the same views on supporting local business,” Lee said. “Miller is out of town, and when he gets back we can discuss it further.”
Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding and partnership agreement with the Pearl River Valley Opportunity Corp.
Russell Foster, PRVO board member, said the program helps disadvantaged individuals living on fixed incomes, children, families and businesses.
One example is the low income energy program which helps some residents pay their electric bills.
The board approved an order to close out the bridge project on JJ Holcomb Road, which is now open for traffic.
Supervisors accepted a bid of $1,195 per month from Picayune’s Dragon Commercial Services for janitorial services at the PRC DHS/County Extension Building.
The next scheduled supervisor’s meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4 in the old courthouse on Julia Street.
