The Washington County Board of Supervisors addressed economic development initiatives, healthcare expansion, infrastructure projects and taxpayer concerns during a regularly scheduled meeting that included extensive public discussion and multiple approvals.
The board approved agenda additions and minutes before hearing updates from county partners and departments.
Tax payment policy discussed
Resident Marilyn Nellum raised concerns about property tax affordability and asked the board to consider allowing partial payments of ad valorem taxes under Mississippi Code Section 27-41-2.
“We’re extremely poor,” Nellum told supervisors while requesting installment payment options.
The county board attorney,Willie Griffin explained that state law allows, but does not require, boards of supervisors to adopt a partial-payment policy.
“The state gives the board discretionary right to adopt a policy,” the County Attorney Griffin said. “The state does not order the board to do it”.
Supervisors voted to have the county attorney research the issue and report back with recommendations.
“To come up with $1,000 between December 1st and February 1st can be difficult,” a resident said.
Church tax exemption request
Terrell Gibson, representing Thy Kingdom Come Ministries, asked the board to reinstate the church’s tax-exempt status after reacquiring its property following a prolonged legal dispute. Supervisors said tax-exempt status typically requires active church operations and advised Gibson to consult with the county tax assessor once services resume.
“As soon as you get your church reestablished back in service, let us know you’re in operation,” supervisor Carl McGee said.
Economic development updates
Mary Kathleen Brooks of the Washington County Economic Alliance reported progress on several grant-funded projects, including a Brownfield grant application scheduled for submission by Jan. 15 and a USDA Business Development Opportunity grant targeting an industrial site in Leland expected in February.
“We’ve most recently cleared a 90-by-25-foot lot under the remediation program,” Brooks said, noting the project took place in Greenville. She also reminded supervisors that applications for the Leadership Washington County program are due in February.
Hospital finances and recruitment challenges
Hospital officials reported strong financial performance, citing a $1.16 million net income for October and nearly 96 days of cash on hand, up from 87 days the previous year.
Officials said recruiting physicians has become more difficult without access to robotic surgical technology, which is now standard training for many specialists.
“The first thing they ask when you’re recruiting them is, do you have a robot,” Iris Stacker, CEO Delta Health System, told supervisors .
The cost of a robotic surgery system was estimated between $1 million and $2 million, with used equipment being considered. Stacker said the technology would reduce recovery times and position the county hospital as the only facility in the Delta offering robotic surgery.
Financial actions and bids
Supervisors approved more than $445,000 in claims, road and bridge payments, detention center training costs and corrections to property assessments and homestead exemptions.
The board reviewed bids for the county depository for 2026–2027 but tabled the decision to allow staff to compare interest rate structures.
Supervisors approved a bid from the Delta Democrat-Times to publish official board proceedings for 2026 and 2027 at a cost of $175 per publication.
Executive session and adjournment
In executive session, the board voted unanimously to reappoint all county appointees, eliminating the need for reappointments at the first meeting of the new year.
The meeting concluded with holiday greetings and confirmation that the next regular meeting will be held in early January.
