In observance of President’s Day on Monday, the Washington County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
On the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting is executive director of the Washington County Economic Alliance (WCEA) Will Coppage; Hank Burdine regarding a marker for the Holt Collier gravesite; Juliet Thomas to discuss partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 census; director of the Greenville Arts Council Eleanor Wright to discuss two grants for Washington County elementary students and Drew Newson requesting payment of Republican Primary election on March 10.
County approves hiring lobbyist
At the previous BOS meeting, the board voted 3-2 for Yazoo City native and former District 22 state senate candidate Hayes Dent to provide lobbying services for the county.
Dent is president of Hayes Dent Public Strategies, LLC, a lobbying and governmental consulting firm.
According to the company’s website, it represents clients before state executive and legislative bodies as well as federal decision-makers on a wide range of issues.
District 4 Supervisor Mala Brooks made a motion to hire Dent at a salary of $50,000 for his services and District 5 Supervisor Jerry Redmond seconded the motion with District 2 Supervisor Tommy Benson casting the third vote.
Brooks said what made Dent an ideal candidate for the position is his well-roundedness, an established rapport with key stakeholders, experience and delivery of results.
She explained while the state of Mississippi does have legislators representing citizens and residents, additional assistance is needed to represent the needs of Washington County.
“We do have our legislators there, but we need additional assistance representing Washington County at the state and federal level … with the different departments, Mr. Dent can help navigate both sides of the aisle,” Brooks said.
“If we want to be effective and bring more resources back to our region, then we have to have someone at the table speaking on behalf of Washington County on a federal and state level,” she said.
