TYLERTOWN — Walthall County supervisors took no action on a demand from a state official to boost funding for the Region XI mental health provider, the Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Complex.
“I don’t see how they can tell the county we have 30 days to fix it,” board attorney Conrad Mord told board members. “We’re one of nine counties in this region.”
Bill Rosamond, the state’s coordinator for mental health accessibility, told supervisors in Walthall County, as well as Pike, Amite and the other counties of the region last month, that funding for the mental health complex is well below what is needed to provide all the necessary services and meet its other financial obligations, including contributions to the Public Employees Retirement System.
Despite Walthall County’s small population of just 13,986, it is the third largest county in the region, behind Pike — with 39,104 people, the largest county in the region — and Adams. The smallest county is Jefferson, with just 6,784 people.
Meanwhile, Walthall contributes $17,313 per year to the region, which is the second smallest allocation among the nine counties. Only Wilkinson County, with 5,600 fewer people, contributes less to the region, $10,094. Jefferson County gives $17,952, while Pike is the biggest contributor, giving $89,450.
“I think we need to hold off on this,” Mord said, indicating the counties of the region should come to a consensus on how to proceed.
Neither Mord nor members of the board suggested a meeting or other method of reaching that consensus during Monday’s board meeting.
In other business, the board:
• Voted to send letters demanding cleanup of “nuisance lots” near the Southwest Event Center and the Walthall County Co-op.
• Heard from Emergency Management Coordinator Royce McKee the roof repairs on an outbuilding at the armory had been completed.
• Approved mobile home tax refunds of $889 and $1,065.
• Approved garbage account credits totaling $1,758, leaving amounts due totaling $924. One credit was due to someone using the address of a telecommunications tower to buy a car tag.
• Amended a donation for a Blue Star Memorial marker from $1,500 to $1,590.
• Approved the purchase of rock screens for District 1 and District 3 tractors for $2,000 each, a half-door for $566 for the solid waste office and a concrete flower vase for the veterans’ memorial for $80.
• Accepted a financing bid of 1,99% interest from Citizens Bank for the purchase of a pickup for District 2.
• Hired former comptroller Cindy Ginn as a consultant on an as-needed basis.
• Approved providing insurance for county election commissioners.
• Discussed a possible lease of county property to a business prospect in executive session
