Andrew Smith’s contract with the board as their American Rescue Plan Act fund manager, and grant writer was renewed in January, or maybe it wasn’t.
Back on Jan. 2, 2024, the Board of Supervisors had the option to vote to reappoint department heads and contract renewals, individually or to take them as a whole and vote that way.
Opting to vote on them as one item rather than a long list of items they approved the combined vote and the meeting moved on.
At the Board Supervisors meeting on April 1, 2024, District 3 Supervisor, and board President Carl Mcgee said it was not the board's intent to renew Smith’s contract with the county as their ARPA funds manager.
District 4 Board Supervisor Mala Brooks said she intended to and voted as such.
Smith had been in front of the board discussing proposals, but shifted gears and tried to clear up the suggestion of double dipping that McGee has been making regarding Smith receiving money from both the ARPA fund, and the county for doing the same job.
Smith said, “I receive 2% from the county, and 4% from the Mississippi Water and Infrastructure or MCWI, and the rules state that as long as the amount doesn’t exceed 20% I comply.”
This information seemed to fall on deaf ears when McGee only showed interest in something Smith had written, McGee said Smith wrote that the board intended to renew Smith’s contract but that it was not the case.
The intent of the board was to reappoint department heads, and not to renew Smith contract, “So, Mr. Smith you do not have a contract with this board,” McGee said.
Brooks again reiterated that her intent was to renew Smith's contract, but McGee went around the board, from member to member and only Brooks was in support of Smith.
Smith, upon hearing this said he would need the proposals he’d just presented to the board back because he would not work without a contract.
Brooks became upset when she heard this, and said the board had a lot of projects going and just because McGee wanted to play games the board shouldn’t have to lose them.
Smith requested an executive session if his contract was going to be discussed,
Brooks wanted more information on Smith’s contract even though McGee reminded her that Smith didn’t want his contract discussed in the open session.
Smith returned to the podium to tell the board that since it’s intent wasn’t to renew his contract he expected that he was going to owe the county money for the work he’s provided the board without a contract.
Brooks said no, and made a motion to move forward with all the projects Smith has presented since January. District 2 Board Supervisor Tommy Benson seconded it, but McGee went into some of the projects and said they couldn’t proceed with some because without approval the board wouldn’t be eligible for reimbursement, so the motion was withdrawn.
“I enjoy amicable relationships with those I serve, and I have some concerns with this board,” Smith said, “This board said I was double dipping, but today I proved I was not, I have been stressed to deal with a lot of unnecessary things in dealing with the board, I’ve got to know if I work for the board under contract before I move forward”
The issue ended unresolved with Smith suggesting he would do know work without a contract and McGee saying that even without a contract he is obligated to continue the work on existing projects, until the contract issue is resolved.
