County Administrator
Ronnie Barlow
County Administrator
DUTIES:
The County Administrator is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and carries out all policies adopted by the Board. The key responsibility of the County Administrator is to support the Board by overseeing the following duties:
• Coordinate Board meetings, work sessions and presentations that require the presence of three or more Supervisors.
• Assist the Board in the preparation of the budget and of the tax levy
• Employ and supervise department heads and employees according to the County’s personnel policies and procedures and promote a safe work environment
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the County
• Act as liaison officer to work with the various divisions of County government and agencies to see that County-owned property is properly managed, maintained, repaired, improved, kept or stored; Legislative relations
Background and Requirements of Administrator
The County Administrator must be knowledgeable in the areas of budget planning, accounting, purchasing, and personnel management.
All counties in Mississippi operating under the unit system of Road Administration are required, by statute, to employ a County Administrator.
Certain duties are prescribed by law for the County Administrator:
• Employ an office clerk and such other technical and secretarial assistance for the Board as may be needed and maintain an office for the Board and prepare a budget for the office subject to approval of the Board;
• Have authority to make inquiry of any person or group using County funds appropriated by the Board of Supervisors as to the use or proper use of such funds and shall report to the Board of Supervisors as to such findings;
• Have general supervision over the County sanitary landfills and refuse collection procedures;
• Have general supervision over County-owned parks playgrounds and recreation areas;
• Have general supervision over any and all zoning and building code ordinances adopted by the Board of Supervisors and shall administer such ordinances;
• Have general supervision over any and all airports owned by the County;
• Be the liaison officer to work with the various divisions of County government and agencies to see that County-owned property is properly managed, maintained, repaired, improved, kept or stored;
• See that all orders, resolutions and regulations of the Board of Supervisors are faithfully executed;
• Make reports to the Board from time to time concerning the affairs of the County and keep the Board fully advised as to the financial condition of the County and future financial needs;
• Keep the Board of Supervisors informed as to federal and state laws and regulations which affect the Board of Supervisors and the County, shall advise the Board as to the possible availability of federal or state grants and assistance for which the County may be eligible and shall assist in the preparation and submission of plans and project specifications necessary to acquire such assistance and shall be the administrating officer of County grants from state and federal sources;
• Be charged with the responsibility of securing insurance coverage on such County property as the board shall decide should be insured and of securing any other insurance required or authorized by law. The County Administrator shall work out a plan of insurance for the County which will insure minimum premiums;
• Receive inquiries and complaints from citizens of the County as to the operation of County government, investigate such inquiries and complaints and shall report any findings to the Board and the individual Supervisor of the district from which such inquiry or complaint arises;
• Meet regularly with the Board of Supervisors and have full privileges of discussion but no vote;
• Do any and all other administrative duties that the Board of Supervisors could legally do themselves and that they can legally delegate without violating the laws of the state nor impinging upon the duties set out by law for other officers.
