The Leflore County Board of Supervisors on Monday agreed to hire four new part-time officers at the county’s Juvenile Detention Center and two new deputies at the Sheriff’s Department.
Both of the new sheriff’s deputies, Zachary Lee Underwood Jr. and Michael Hoskins, previously worked for the Greenwood Police Department –— Underwood for five years and Hoskins for seven.
Supervisors also approved Tax Assessor Leroy Ware’s prepared property assessment rolls, agreeing that public notice be posted informing taxpayers that the rolls are ready for inspection and that objections filed at the courthouse will be heard by the board on Aug. 6. The board further agreed it will remain in session until all objections are dealt with and any corrections made in the rolls.
Ware, who was not in attendance at Monday’s meeting, told supervisors last week that the 2018 real and personal property rolls show a total assessed value of almost $273 million, an increase of about $1.5 million, or six-tenths of 1 percent, from last year’s assessed value.
Jackson insurance consultant Bobbie Sue Stone appeared before the board with figures for county employees’ health insurance, effective Sept. 1, showing a 10 percent decrease in the cost of the Blue Cross medical plan and a rate hold or decrease for dental and vision plans.
Stone said that represents $122,000 in total annual savings for the county over this year’s insurance costs.
In other business, the board approved County Engineer Robert Willis’ request to apply for reimbursement of funds from State Aid for two emergency contracts. Each contract is worth $54,000, and the county stands to recoup the full cost of both projects.
Road Manager Jerry Smith reported that his crews will be applying asphalt to level out some spots on Money Road prior to the Bikes, Blues & Bayous cycling event scheduled for the first Saturday in August.
Smith said his crews will also begin working soon on road damage in Money caused by last year’s CN train derailment.
•Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
