Smith County Mississippi Board of Supervisors and Board Attorney~

SMITH COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Terry L. Butler - District 1; Willie Keyes - District 2;
Howard Hammons - District 5; Benjie Ford - District 3;
Wilson Hallman- District 4

CONTACT:
Board of Supervisors
P O Box 160
Raleigh, MS 39153
Phone: 601-782-1000
Fax: 601-782-4002

Role of the Board of Supervisors

The Smith County Board of Supervisors is responsible for the management of county government and a number of special districts. The five supervisors are elected by district to four-year terms by the citizens of Smith County. There are no term limits. Board members serve residents in districts of different geographical size, but each district has approximately equal population.

The Board's primary duties include:

adopting an annual budget;
establishing the annual property tax rate;
setting policies, goals and objectives to direct the
county's growth and development;
adopting and providing for ordinances, rules and regulations as necessary for the general welfare of
the county and
carrying out other responsibilities as set forth by Mississippi state statute

At the beginning of each year, the Board chooses from its members a president and a vice president to serve during the following year. The president presides at Board meetings and signs documents in the name of the county. The vice president substitutes when the president is absent.

Board Attorney's Responsibilities
(Appointed by the Board of Supervisors)

With the complexity of today's county government, the board attorney is a critical appointment for the board of supervisors. It is essential that the board attorney provide sound legal advice to the board of supervisors in all matters concerning the county and county operations. It is also critical for the board of supervisors to follow the advice given by the board attorney. Since a wide variety of legal issues surround the normal activity of county government, the board attorney gives advice to assist in keeping the board of supervisors within the confines of the law when the board makes decisions.

The board attorney's duties consist of a wide range of activities including:

Attending meetings of the board of supervisors;
Drafting minutes;
Represent the board of supervisors in:
- All civil cases of county interest
- Eminent domain proceedings
- The examination and certification of title to property the county may be acquiring
- Any criminal suit against a county officer for malfeasance, where the county may be financially liable.
Answering legal inquiries from board members, other county officials, and citizens;
Researching land records;
Drafting board orders;
Obtaining Attorney General's opinions;
Acquisition of road and bridge right of ways;
Voting rights submissions;
Reviewing and drafting of contracts
Drafting local and private legislation
Bond work, and
An array of litigation

Stan Sorey,
Board Attorney