WALTHALL - Webster County supervisors heard a progress report Monday on a program that has provided employment training and education for disadvantaged youths.
Billy Powell, area case manager of the Recruitment Training Program of Mississippi, gave an update to the board about RTP's services. The private non-profit human resource and career development corporation is based in Columbus.
RTP received a grant in 2001 from the Three Rivers Planning and Development District to operate the Youth Education and Training Sponsorship Program. YETS recruited economically disadvantaged applicants who were 18 to 21 years old with a high school education or GED, and carried them through a minimal training program.
Once they met certain qualifications, the agency found jobs for them. RTP reimbursed eligible employers up to 75 percent of the wages paid those workers during their training schedule. Powell told the board that 27 youths in Webster County were employed through YETS from July 2001 through June 2002.
RTP now provides free GED services in Webster County for youths ages 16-21 funded through a Workforce Investment Act grant from Three Rivers. Those in the program are either dropouts or have been referred by the county's high schools.
The class, taught by Brenda Gary, meets five days a week from 8 a.m. to noon in the east wing of the old Eupora High School building. Powell said 11 people have received their general equivalency diplomas through the program so far and that it has been funded for another year.
Also Monday, the board accepted a $909,124.68 bid from Kimes and Stone of Booneville for the construction of 33.733 miles of base repair, leveling, reseal, striping and signing on state-aid roads. The bid was the lowest of five submitted. The state-aid estimate for the work was $1.06 million.
Gary Massey with Massey Insurance Co. presented an insurance plan for health group coverage. The board then voted to purchase a major medical plan through Massey for $360.83 per employee and other rates effective Aug. 1, and to replace coverage through the Mississippi Public Entity Employee Benefit Trust. This will include dental insurance on employees. According to discussion at the meeting, the county will save $170,000 this year through this change.
In other business, the Board of Supervisors voted to terminate the employment of Will Avant and Komarcus Powell as of June 21 because work is still not available. It also approved a budget amendment to purchase a dog for the Sheriff''s Department after it received donations for this purpose.
The Courthouse and other county offices will be closed Monday, July 5, because of the Fourth of July holiday. The board's next regular meeting will be July 6.
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