A change in leadership was the first order of business for theLincoln County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

District Five Supervisor Gary Walker, who was vice presidentlast year, took over the board’s top position from District TwoSupervisor Bobby J. Watts. District One Supervisor the Rev. JerryWilson will now serve as vice president.

Leadership of the board rotates annually with the new year.

Following the change, the board reappointed all countyrepresentatives, such as the county attorney and engineer.

In other business, Wirt Peterson, with the Southwest MississippiPlanning and Development District, informed the board that it maybe possible in 2006 for the county to receive a CommunityDevelopment Block Grant to help fund a “senior citizen meal andsocial center,” said Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop.

The grant would require a 50-50 split between state and localfunds, but local funding could be reduced with the donation ofproperty and preparatory work by the supervisors on the site, hesaid.

“They were interested in the proposal, especially District One,”Bishop said.

Peterson was given approval to continue with the process andreturn to the board when he had compiled more numbers on the costof the building and staffing, Bishop said.

The board also approved the purchase of a new fire truck for theZetus Volunteer Fire Department. The low bid came in at $167,000from Tupelo Fire Equipment, Bishop said. There will be a nine-monthperiod for the company to build the truck.