State cuts have caused annual Department of Public Safety grants for juvenile drug court to be smaller than usual this year.
The Pike County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved applying for a $81,482 grant that begins each July and expires June 30 at Tuesday’s meeting.
County Administrator Tami Dangerfield estimated the 2021-22 grant was for $97,000.
Dangerfield said one of the things the funds are used for is counseling for kids.
“That is the grant that funds the juvenile drug court,” she said.
“That’s for teens or young people that have got into the system for drug use or whatever. This particular grant funds that program.”
Charli Hensley, Pike County Juvenile Drug Court coordinator, said parents have appreciated the help their kids have received.
“We’re glad to do that for parents if they think their child is using drugs,” she said.
Dangerfield said there are many reasons for the cuts.
“It’s a state funded program,” she said. “With state cuts, they trickle down.”
Dangerfield hopes the amount of grant will increase in 2023.
“We’re prayerful that it will go up,” she said.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the appointment of Lee Wilson for a full five-year term on the Southwest Mississippi Community College board of trustees. He is completing an unexpired term, and is getting a full term for the first time.
• Unanimously approved permit applications for Sparklight to construct a buried coaxial cable along or across Kathryn Drive in Summit.
• Approved paying $203,480 to Greenbriar Digging for extension of the Gateway Industrial Park water system to service additional area.
“This has to do with the water portion of it,” Dangerfield said. “The county is getting water ready.
