Alcorn County Supervisors Draw on $20M Storm Loan

The Alcorn County supervisors have started tapping a $20 million note to keep county finances steady while they wait for federal reimbursement for Ice Storm Fern cleanup. The Board of Supervisors voted Monday to make the first draw on the loan, which the county secured in June to help cover the costs of the January ice storm.

Recovery from the storm has been expensive for local governments across Northeast Mississippi. Debris removal and other emergency work have to be paid up front, while reimbursement from FEMA and the state can take months to arrive. The note gives Alcorn County a way to cover those costs in the meantime.

What the Alcorn County supervisors approved

Board Attorney Bill Davis explained the terms to the board. Interest on the note does not begin to build until the county actually draws money from it, and the county had up to a year after the June agreement to make its first draw. Interest payments are due each year, with the principal due when the note matures in a few years.

Monday’s vote puts the note into effect so the county can use the money to cover its out-of-pocket storm expenses.

Hospital budget and pool concerns

Magnolia Regional Health Center CEO Jim Hobson presented the hospital’s annual budget to the board, and supervisors offered feedback on several issues.

• Supervisor Steve Glidewell said he remains concerned about low morale in the community regarding the hospital.
• Two other supervisors said they have heard complaints that the pool at the hospital’s South Harper Road facility is no longer available.
• Board President Lowell Hinton said he has heard that some women are carpooling to Tupelo for water aerobics. “I think that is a big need in our community,” he said.

Hobson said the pool needs a major repair and that MRHC is looking for the resources to pay for it. He thanked the board for its feedback.

Other business: Farmington Road, arena barn and more

• Farmington Road overlay: Cook Coggin Engineers will open bids for an overlay project on Farmington Road at 9 a.m. on Oct. 1. The board will likely consider the bids at its next regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 5.
• Crossroads Arena barn: The board wants to name the newly finished pole barn at the Crossroads Arena for Hinton, recognizing his support of Alcorn County 4-H. Hinton, who pushed for the barn, said its first event was a big success.
• Jail billing: Sheriff Ben Caldwell gave his monthly correctional facility billing report for inmates housed for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Corinth, Farmington, Booneville, McNairy County and Hardin County.
• Hazardous waste day: Chancery Clerk Keith Settlemires said a household hazardous waste disposal event may be possible in March or April.
• Opioid settlement: The board received notice of an opioid settlement allocation from Walmart.

Board of Supervisors meetings are open to the public. Residents can find meeting information and district contacts on the Alcorn County website.

Related coverage: Corinth to receive $1.4 million in FEMA funding for storm debris removal and Magnolia Pediatric Clinic adds nurse practitioner.

Source: Daily Corinthian