The mayor of Brookhaven and the president of the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors say they have submitted their requests for funding to the Legislature for the 2022 session. The area’s senator said as many needs will be met as possible, though statewide requests once again exceed available funds.

Sen. Jason Barrett (R, D39), of Brookhaven, said good stewardship of state funds is needed to meet as many of the requested needs as possible.

“As always, monetary requests from various Mississippi agencies and entities exceed available state funds. My intention is to make smart, discerning decisions in order to distribute funds in such a way that we can do as much as possible to help meet the current needs of the people, while also making a long-term positive difference,” Barrett said.

The senator and attorney said he anticipates the Senate will consider policy-driven bills including such topics as: tax relief but not “tax swap”; eliminating inventory tax for small businesses; implementing teacher pay raises; criminal justice reform; providing healthcare for working Mississippians; employer/employee exemptions from COVID vaccines; healthcare and building the nursing workforce; the initiative process; Congressional and legislative redistricting; equal pay; state public parks rehabilitation; and passing the FY 2023 state budget.

“The tax relief and medical marijuana proposals have the potential of being the two most controversial issues during the current session,” Barrett said. “I will be authoring and co-authoring numerous bills this year. If passed, these bills will help address needs throughout District 39 and our state.”

Elected in 2020 to fill the seat vacated by Sally Doty — which covers Lincoln, Lawrence, Copiah and Walthall counties — Barrett is vice-chair of the Senate Municipalities Committee and serves on the following: Economic and Workforce Development; Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources; Ethics; Executive Contingent Fund; Finance; Judiciary A; and Public Property.

“It is an honor to serve Southwest Mississippi. My commitment remains to represent the voice of the people,” Barrett said. “I may be contacted at jbarrett@senate.ms.gov or 601-833-1177 with questions or concerns.”

 

County, city requests

Infrastructure funding is the primary concern of the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors for the 2022 Legislature.

“We have asked our legislators to help with additional funding for roads and bridges,” Lincoln County Board President and District 5 Supervisor Doug Falvey said.

The City of Brookhaven has similar concerns. Mayor Joe Cox submitted the following list of funding requests Jan. 7.

• Water System Improvements — Brignall Well — Renovate existing well, upgrade power supply and replace controls to provide backup water supply for the City. $450,000.
• KDMC Well/Iron Removal/pH Adjustment Plant — Construction of new water treatment plant to serve the new water supply well at Kings Daughters Medical Center to insure continuous water supply to KDMC during power failures or other emergencies. $750,000.
• Brookway Boulevard Reconstruction — I-55 to Hwy. 51 — Seeking continued support for the reconstruction of this ¾ mile segment to include the addition of landscaped medians, upgrade/replacement of 4 traffic signals, addition of curb/gutter on north/south edges, enclosure of roadside ditches (piping), and reduction of driveway conflicts. Total cost of $5,500,000. Remaining to be funded $3.75 million.
• Wastewater Treatment — Lagoon Improvements — Dredge dispersal of accumulated sludge island, installation of solar powered algae eliminator, installation of new aerators, and installation of new bypass line, to allow the level of lagoon to be lowered, without negatively affecting the operating efficiency of the Plant. $525,000.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements — Renovation/repair of sludge digester, new fine influent screens, new Return Activated Sludge pumps, new sludge processing facility $8.85 million.
• Sewer Service Extensions to Unserved Areas — Extension of sanitary sewer service to residents within the City limits that do not currently have access to centralized sewage disposal. $1.3 million.
• City Wide Sewer System Rehabilitation — Manhole lining and sewer main rehabilitation of some of the worst mains in the system to reduce Infiltration and Inflow during heavy rains. $5 million.