Video: Oktibbeha Board of Supervisors Shake Up

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors President Marvel Howard steps down.

Howard made the announcement during Monday night’s board meeting.

It was a move no one was expecting to hear. Howard is supervisor of District 3 and says he’s stepping down due to the workload and requirements needed as president. Howard also mentioned that he had other plans going on in his life. The board unanimously appointed District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer as President and District 1 Supervisor John Montgomery, Jr. as vice president. Trainer says for Howard to step down and make this type of move, it speaks volumes that there’s a lot going on and that this is perhaps the best interest for him and his family.

This would’ve been Howard’s third year as board president.

Also in Monday night’s meeting Supervisor Trainer discussed two major items that brought a small crowd: the future of Oktibbeha County hospital and future bonds for improving Oktibbeha County roads.

Trainer wants to bring an outside financial analysis to the board meetings to discuss how partnering with different corporations will improve health care in Oktibbeha County and save taxpayers dollars.

“We have a great community hospital. But we have the potential of being so much better. And I think that if we continue to somewhat elude the process of trying to better ourselves. Then I think we’re going to find our gains that we made somewhat erode because we’re gonna be in a situation where we can’t go anywhere. We’re gonna miss out on some things that will be going other places that could really enhance us in regards to revenue and some other things,” says supervisor Trainer.

As far as road infrastructure, Trainer wants additional road funding through a bond issuance. Trainer wants the county to receive $10 million for infrastructure projects.

Supervisors say they generally like the idea of improving roads but will like to see how the $10 million would be allocated if they choose to do so.

Both discussions will continue at the county’s next board meeting in November.