The West Point board of selectmen voted unanimously to enter into an inter-local Emergency Management Agency with Clay County at Tuesday’s board meeting.
The Clay County board of supervisors agreed to the merger earlier this month. West Point Mayor Robbie Robinson said it would take about 30 days to get the agreement approved by the attorney general.
Robinson said the agreement would benefit both entities and the community by streamlining communication between agencies during emergencies.
Grants approved
The selectmen voted unanimously to allow Mayor Robinson to sign off on the Marshall Park Grant.
“The grant is for $184,000,” Robinson said. “It’s for a walking trail and some handicapped parking. The distance of the trail is 2,640 feet, it ought to be really nice.”
The board also unanimously agreed to approve the System of Care Grant for Community Counseling Services. Clay County director of Community Counseling Stephanie Taylor said locally the service targets about 100 young people each year, ages 10-21. It is a renewal of a contract the board entered into last year. Taylor said the contract will need to be re-approved every year.
Last year, the board approved the research behind the project, this year the plan will go into place, Taylor said.
“This goes into the implantation year,” Taylor said. “We are focusing on 12-21 year olds. So, say a teenager had a child we could serve them also with mental health needs. Or if they’re at risk for mental health needs we can come into their home, in their community, in their school getting them jobs or into the military or whatever works for them to make them a productive individuals in the community.
The System of Care grant is a $3.46 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to be based in West Point and serve residents of Clay, Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Noxubee counties.
Grant writer Melanie Busby said the grant also creates 12 local jobs at Community Counseling Services. Those salaries are paid by the grant.
Other business
The selectmen approved to advertise for bids for city hall renovations Tuesday. The plan is to address the exterior of city hall. The roof will be restored, the clock painted and the windows redone. Bids will be collected and announced in November.
Police Chief Tim Brinkley told the board Clay County grand jury results have just come in and of the 45 cases presented by his department, 45 true bills were returned.
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