TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - By a unanimous vote Monday morning, Supervisor Bobby Smith was named President and Supervisor Darrell Rankin was named Vice-President of the Lee County Board.
Smith replaces outgoing Board President Phil Morgan and speaks for the board, among other duties.
Some of his speaking this week will be to lawmakers in Jackson.
The county's leaders will join supervisors from around the state for an annual conference and spend time with lawmakers on a number of issues.
Supervisor Bobby Smith said, "Section 41 housing is an issue. Homestead is an issue. Funding for our local bridge and road program is an issue."
Smith says road and bridge program funding is perhaps one of the more important issues facing counties.
He says unfunded mandates are always a concern.
Smith said, "So many times in the state legislature there will be things mandated on the county the state requires us to do. It requires funding but they don't offer the funding and the county has to pick it up. It puts additional burden on the county to do that."
The Mississippi Association of Supervisors maintains a full-time presence in Jackson. They're especially busy this time of year.
Smith said, "We have people who are constantly there lobbying for us in situations. Supervisors from each county go down on a regular basis to let the legislature know we're concerned about those issues and we aren't taking some of those things lightly."
Overall, Smith says there is a good working relationship with the legislature.
He says counties must continue to work aggressively though to make sure they are treated fairly and receive help in areas only the state can provide.
