During the monthly board meeting of the Jones County Supervisors Monday morning, October 19, the Supervisors acknowledged the receipt of $73,771 from a private donor to the Jones County Sheriff’s Department for the purchase of three new Dodge Chargers to serve as patrol cars for the department. The Supervisors had already approved the purchase of several new patrol cars. Sheriff Joe Berlin said the private donor wanted to do something for the department, so he agreed to purchase three more patrol cars. The Sheriff said he would give the better of the used vehicles to the smaller local law enforcement departments.
In other business, the Supervisors voted on the at large appointment to the SCRMC Board of Trustees. Dr. Larry Thomas, Chuck Blackwell, and Victor Jones, who is the present appointment, were nominated for the position. After a tie on the first vote, a second vote was taken, and Victor Jones was voted to remain on the SCRMC Board of Trustees.
According to CAO and Board Attorney Danielle Ashley, the Board of Supervisors agreed several years ago to give the City of Ellisville half of the 11 mils collected for road maintenance at the Howard Tech Park since they were taking care of the roads. Monday morning, the supervisors agreed to have Ashley send a letter stating that the city will no longer receive the 5.5 mils since the Supervisors have taken back the road maintenance.
Board President Johnny Burnette urged the citizens of Jones County to continue to wear masks. Sighting the uptick in COVID-19 cases over the weekend in Jones County, which included one death, Burnett said, “People will not wear these masks,” exclaimed Burnette. We need to wear our masks. It’s very serious. We hope and pray that the people will pay attention to this (the increase in cases). The first thing you know, they will be closing some of the businesses down. When you start closing businesses down, you are really hurting our economy. I’m praying that everybody will start wearing their masks and do what they need to do.”
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 2, at 9:30 a.m. at the Ellisville Courthouse. Each meeting of the Board of Supervisors on even-numbered months and all third Monday meetings are held at the Laurel Courthouse. The first meeting on odd-numbered months is held at the Ellisville Courthouse.