The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors reappointed county Fire Marshal Albert Lee as the county fire investigator during Monday’s meeting.
Lee is certified with the state to investigate arson, thus fulfilling requirements of the position, County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin said. The appointment is made annually, Lumpkin said.
At the request of Emergency Management Director Danny Manley, the Board approved lifting the burn ban in the county that was issued in late October.
Due to repairs to the courthouse in Poplarville, Circuit and Justice court cases have been moved to the court facilities in Picayune, while Chancery Court operations remain in Poplarville, Lumpkin said.
As a result of the temporary relocation, scheduling conflicts have occurred due to the reduction of courtrooms available, Lumpkin said.
The Poplarville courtroom is expected to remain under construction for about four to five months, he said.
The Board also tabled a resolution to approve a line of credit for the Pearl River County Hospital and Nursing Home.
Lumpkin said the line of credit is used to help make payroll while waiting for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.
Most of the facility’s payments are processed through those programs, Lumpkin said.
The Board also acknowledged salary increases for Circuit and Chancery court judges.
Lumpkin said the state legislature passed a measure allowing counties to pay for the salary increase based on a scale of experience.
Those increases will take effect on Jan. 1, 2017.
In other news, the Board:
• Acknowledged reports from the Building Division and E-911 Addressing and County Administrator offices.
• Accepted funds in Justice Court for cash bond returned by the postal service.
• Approved a request from the district attorney for the use of the Boardroom for 2017 Grand Jury sessions.
• Accepted financing and signed documents for the purchase of five 2016 Ford Police Interceptors and the lease of four excavators.
• Approved checks for poll workers from the Nov. 29 runoff election.
The next Board meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. in the boardroom.