Funds Needed To Replace Water Tank

By David Howell

Editor

COFFEEVILLE – County officials pledged to help a rural water association to search for funds to replace an aging water tank that serves customers in Yalobusha, Grenada and Calhoun counties.

    Young Water and Sewage Association President Glenn Parker told supervisors that a 30 year-old concrete water tank that serves 180 meters in Yalobusha, 244 meters in Grenada and 64 meters in Calhoun has deteriorated to the point that it needs to be replaced. The tank, along with a second tank utilized by the water association are located in south west Yalobusha County.

    Parker also told supervisors that a 100,000 gallon replacement tank is needed, because the smaller concrete tank is also operating over capacity.

    “This is a large, rural area. We need a bigger capacity because it has grown some,” Parker said at the “first Monday” meeting held Nov. 1 in Coffeeville.

     “We are looking at the future too, because we feel like that area will grow more as people move into the Grenada Lake area,” Parker explained.

    The estimated cost for the replacement is $610,000.

    “We have been looking for funding, to see if we can get any money,” Yalobusha County Economic Director Bob Tyler told supervisors. Tyler added that he had initiated contact with the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) who will help look for grant money.

    Joe Sutherland, an engineer for the water association, added that the association has applied to the state revolving fund loan through the Mississippi Health Department for a loan to help fund the project.

    “With the number of customers we have, it is going to work a hardship if we can’t match that (amount) with some grant money,”  Sutherland explained.

    “I guess what we need to do now, is for the board to agree to give y’all the okay to go ahead,” District Five Supervisor Frank Tillman said, referring to authority to pursue grants on behalf of the county.

    “That’s fine, we have no problem,” Board President Amos Sims responded.

    •Awarded a bid to Hancock Bank to lease purchase two tractors, one in District Three and one in District Four.  Hancock bid 3.33 percent. A second bidder, Mechanics Bank, bid 5 percent.

    •Appointed Mike Edwards to a five-year term on the Yalobusha Hospital Board. Edwards was first appointed to fill Brownie Crawford’s term.

    • Appointed Mamie Shields to another five-year term on the Yalobusha Library Board.

    • Appointed Joy Mullen to serve on the Yalobusha Library Board. Her appointment is also for a five-year term.

    • Heard an update from Tyler about potential economic development projects  in the county. The economic development director reported that a Panola County man is considering Yalobusha County for a new  industry that could provide 50 jobs.

    Tyler also told supervisors that  there is enough money to keep George Cossar State Park open through the end of February.

    “We and others will be down there in Jackson trying to get enough money to add to that to try to keep Cossar open and going,” Tyler said.

    Tyler also reported that his department had contacted company officials at Winchester as news that the company will add 1,000 jobs in Oxford.

    “We have been in touch with Winchester people, because we are thinking if they are going to put a lot in Oxford, how about spilling over into Yalobusha County somewhere.”

    • Voted to advertise for bids to purchase a backhoe for District One.

    • Approved expenses for the Election Commissioners and Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney to attend a training seminar.

    • Set a recessed meeting date for Nov. 22 in Coffeeville.