After hearing from Sandy Rodgers, the director of Communicare, a community mental health care center in Oxford, the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors pledged their full support in being a collaborator on a $4 million grant the agency is seeking to help care children and their families dealing with mental health issues.

Communicare is applying for the grant from the Department of Health and Human Service’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a political subdivision, which will allow the agency to seek the grant on their own rather than through a government agency acting as the lead agency.

If approved, Communicare would receive $1 million a year for the next four years. The funds would allow the agency to add mental health resources in the community, such as family therapists, special programs and caseworkers.

Rogers asked the supervisors for a letter of collaboration, which they agreed to. Rodgers has already sought and received support from city officials.

In other matters, the supervisors tabled the planning commission recommendation for preliminary commercial plat approval for Jordan Bankhead’s development on Highway 30. The project must first seek and be granted approval from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, as well as the state health department.

Board president Jeff Busby made a motion to table the matter.

“My main concern is safety with the entrance in and out,” Busby said. There apparently are currently more than two entrances in and out of the development.

If the project receives state approval, it would head back to the planning commission.

The supervisors did approve the planning commission recommendation for preliminary subdivision plat approval for Taylor Greene Phase VII and Adams Commercial Subdivision, although supervisor Kevin Frye was the lone nay on the latter item.

After returning from executive session, the supervisors announced they will advertise for the road manager position. Jerry Haynie announced recently he will retire at the end of June.