Winston Supervisors Meet with Full Agenda

The Winston County Board of Supervisors met on Monday, July 18 with a full agenda. Dr. Billy

 

Stewart, President of East Central Community College took the opportunity to update the board on the school's progress and events. He noted that the school had record graduations this year with nearly 600 graduates. He spoke of the school's athletic success, improvements at the college and a new program that allows students to get their GED while enrolling for career credit at the same time. He also noted that in 2015, 50% of high school graduates in the district served by ECCC, who furthered their education, started at East Central.

The board also heard from Winston County Librarian, Beth Edwards with many of the Library Board in attendance. Edwards updates the board on a regular basis concerning library usage and programs. She indicated that the library had over eight thousand registered patrons with over 5,500 visits in the library per month.  She also provided the board with a list of activities at the library over the last few months including the summer programs and book signings. She informed the board that state budget cuts had reduced library's budget by $8,000 for the coming year and asked for any assistance from the county that would be possible.

Representatives from the Governor's Job Fair Program were in attendance as well. Ryan Colvin, a local student attending MSU and Adam Todd with the program spoke to Board. They indicated that plans are in the works to have a Governor's Job Fair in Louisville on September 28th. Todd asked for the board's assistance in promoting the event and encouraging local businesses to participate.

Dean Park Commissioners also spoke to the Board with questions about upcoming bids on lights at the ball field and asked for the County's assistance in providing the sand and dirt for work on the ball field as well. 

The Board passed a resolution to incorporate the Betheden Fire Protection Grading District and set a public hearing on August 15th.

Winston Choctaw County Regional Correctional Facility Warden ,Neal Higgason informed the Board of an offer from the State Department of Corrections to increase the prisoner count at WCCRCF by 35 prisoners at a rate of $20 per day. Currently the Department of Corrections is under contract for a minimum of two hundred prisoners at $29 a day. Over the past several months, the Department of Corrections has removed a large number of prisoners from Regional Correctional Facilities across the state which  is creating some significant budget issues for all, including Winston County.

Higgason indicated that the  $20 per day rate was not profitable but was preferable to empty beds. After discussion the Bod voted to accept the agreement. 

The board dealt with a number of regular items during the dayincluding receiving an update from Paul Black from Winston Medical Center on the progress of new construction for the new medical facility.

Supervisors approved various expenses and received various information including structural reports on the Bagwell Piano and Annex buildings for future construction possibilities. 

The board went into executive session to discuss some personnel and law enforcement issues.