County Government in Mississippi FIFTH EDITION County Government in Mississippi Fifth Edition Sumner Davis and Janet P. Baird, Editors Contributors Michael T. Allen Roberto Gallardo Kenneth M. Murphree Janet Baird Heath Hillman James L. Roberts, Jr. Tim Barnard Tom Hood Jonathan M. Shook David Brinton Samuel W. Keyes, Jr. W. Edward Smith Michael Caples Michael Keys Derrick Surrette Brad Davis Michael Lanford H. Carey Webb Sumner Davis Frank McCain Randall B. Wall Gary E. Friedman Jerry L. Mills Joe B. Young Judy Mooney With forewords by Gary Jackson, PhD, and Derrick Surrette © 2015 Center for Government & Community Development Mississippi State University Extension Service Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762 © 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the Center for Government & Community Development, Mississippi State University Extension Service. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the organization and operation of county government in Mississippi. It is distributed with the understanding that the editors, the individual authors, and the Center for Government & Community Development in the Mississippi State University Extension Service are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required by the readers, the services of the Office of the Attorney General of Mississippi, the Office of the State Auditor of Mississippi, a county attorney, or some other competent professional should be sought. FOREWORD FROM THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE The Mississippi State University Extension Service is a vital, unbiased, research-based, client- driven organization. Extension is Mississippi State University’s lead unit for outreach and engagement and is dedicated to delivering the information people need to make qualified decisions about their economic, social, and cultural well-being. As director, I focus on these core values, which are important to Mississippi State, our unit’s success and future, and, most importantly, our clientele. As we serve the people of Mississippi, we strive to— • be honest, open, and fair to everyone; • provide an advanced, up-to-date knowledge base; • respond quickly with valid and consistent information; • work collectively as a team of professionals; and • make a significant impact in the lives of Mississippians. Like the counties of our state, Mississippi State University Extension exists to provide services that improve the lives of Mississippians. In addition to the programs we provide in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer education, 4-H youth development, and community resource development, MSU Extension, through the Center for Government and Community Development (GCD), provides three major types of services to local governments— education and certification programs for elected and appointed officials, specialized publications, and technical assistance. The GCD currently works in conjunction with the following associations of local government officials to help meet and fulfill their educational needs: Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Mississippi Municipal League, Mississippi Association of County Board Attorneys, Mississippi Municipal Clerks and Tax Collectors Association, Mississippi Chancery Clerks Association, Mississippi Association of County Administrators/Comptrollers, Mississippi Assessors and Collectors Association, Mississippi Chapter of International Association of Assessing Officers, and Mississippi Civil Defense & Emergency Management Association. The center works with these associations to plan and implement a variety of educational programs, seminars, and workshops. In cooperation with the State Department of Audit and the Mississippi Department of Revenue, the GCD manages legislatively mandated certification programs for county purchase clerks, receiving clerks, inventory control clerks, tax assessors, and tax collectors and manages professional education programs for county supervisors and county administrators. The GCD’s Certification Program for Municipal Clerks and Tax Collectors and its Certified Appraiser School are nationally recognized. The GCD assists the Office of the Secretary of State in implementing a training program for municipal clerks and municipal election officials. Active in training in the areas of homeland security and emergency preparedness and management, the GCD works with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, Mississippi State Department of Health, and Mississippi Board of Animal Health to provide training, seminars, and workshops for local government and emergency management officials. Technical assistance is provided on a “time available” basis by the center to counties and municipalities in areas that include general management, financial administration, personnel administration, leadership development, economic development, and community facilities and services. Through these activities, the GCD assists local government officials, local units of government, and associations of local government in their efforts to improve governance at the grassroots level and deliver services to the citizens of Mississippi. The center does not take an advocacy role in the business, legislative, or political affairs of the local governments or local government associations with which it works. Our commitment remains strong to doing whatever we can to improve service delivery by county government in our state. This book is dedicated to that end. Gary Jackson, PhD Director Mississippi State University Extension Service FOREWORD FROM THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF SUPERVISORS County Government in Mississippi, Fifth Edition is a joint project of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors and the MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development. Our goal with this publication is to provide county supervisors and other interested individuals with a single source that they can use to provide background information on a particular area, or as a reference to guide them to additional in-depth information. For newly elected officials, this book is an excellent information source as they become acquainted with the many areas and issues that comprise county government in this state. The publication would not have been possible without the assistance of Mississippi State University Extension. The Mississippi Association of Supervisors would like to thank the Center for Government and Community Development faculty and staff and the contributing authors who donated their time and talents to make the fifth edition of County Government in Mississippi possible. More than ever before, county supervisors must be informed of the many laws, regulations, and policies affecting county government in Mississippi. It is hoped that this book will serve as a tool to further assist county supervisors in governing more effectively. It is but one of the many educational resources provided by the Mississippi Association of Supervisors. We hope that the information contained in this book will help county supervisors continue to advance within the role of their elected office. Derrick Surrette Executive Director Mississippi Association of Supervisors PREFACE In 1985, Mississippi State University’s Extension Center for Government and Community Development (GCD), in cooperation with the Mississippi Association of Supervisors (MAS), issued a Handbook for Mississippi County Supervisors. This original handbook has evolved during the last 30 years into the publication County Government in Mississippi. County Government in Mississippi has grown and changed over the years, reflecting the various changes in county law and practice. As the publication has grown in scope, it has become recognized by the general public, various professionals who work or consult with counties, educators, and elected and appointed state and county officials as the leading work published on county government organization and practice in Mississippi. This fifth edition is designed to incorporate the most recent changes in the law, as well as introduce the reader to the powers, duties, and responsibilities of Mississippi counties. While no book can provide everything there is to know about county government, this book provides the building blocks for elected and appointed county officials and other interested individuals to form a substantial knowledge base across a range of subjects. Writing this publication was a collaborative effort of several very talented individuals—all knowledgeable about county government and all experts in their professions. Recognition should be given to these individuals in making this book possible and for their daily contributions to improving the operation of county government in Mississippi. In an effort to continue to strengthen the ability of county governments to better serve their citizens, the MAS has once again supported this publication. This edition of County Government in Mississippi would not have been possible without the support of the MAS. Finally, appreciation is due to Dr. Gary Jackson, MSU Extension director. Dr. Jackson has been a staunch advocate for the GCD and its efforts. This edition of County Government in Mississippi would not have been published without Dr. Jackson’s continued support. His commitment