Coahoma supervisors have run out of time to approve a budget before October 1. They are considering combining a tax hike with cuts to youth programs and other services. Officials from the county say these moves are necessary to balance a budget of approximately $28 million, which includes construction of a $12 million detention facility. While other county departments will likely see their budgets cut, the decision to eliminate the youth program to make way for a new jail in Coahoma County has raised eyebrows. The youth program is intended to keep children busy and out of trouble. Coahoma County Youth Outreach was established by the board of supervisors in 2012. It is a county-wide recreation program that provides enrichment and recreation. The facility used to be known as the Expo Center. The youth outreach program, which employs four people, serves more than 350 youths between the ages of 5 and 18. It is open from the morning to the evening, during school hours, and the afternoon to the evening. The program’s director Kendric Travis said that a year-long membership costs $25. The youth program’s mission has expanded over time to include activities for all ages. “I was raised in an area like this. Although we didn’t have much, there was always someone to encourage us into sports. They’re the ones who are most successful. They go to school only to play sports. Travis said, “You took that ball from them and they went to the streets.” CCYO board members were appointed by supervisors to supervise the program and expressed surprise at the announcement of cuts. Morgan Wood, Coahoma county administrator, stated that the program won’t be cut, but they won’t receive as much funding as in the past. Officials from the county acknowledge CCYO’s value, but don’t believe there is any way to upgrade the jail where James Johnson III escaped on Thursday. Johnson was convicted in 2016 of murder. Otis Griffin was the special projects manager for the county. Griffin stated that the new jail complex would make a huge difference. “This is not a need or want. This is a must-have.” Griffin stated that while we understand that no one wants to live in jails, it is essential that they are available. Paul Pearson, the president of the board of supervisions and the longest-serving member of the board, said in a telephone interview that the county wanted to keep the youth program going and that it would continue funding it for “a few years”. Pearson also stated that the county is open to funding another organization such as the Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Delta to give the program financial stability and apply for grants through charities. The county also could get additional revenue from organizations and places they cannot get. The county currently provides $40,000 to the Boys & Girls Club programs at Jonestown Elementary School, and CCYO. Travis stated that the supervisors give CCYO approximately $500,000 but they never spend all of their money. Travis stated that the funding is used for operating expenses and the organization raises money to fund field trips. The budget doesn’t cover the cost of taking these children on field trips. Travis explained that he must raise the money through selling concessions. Travis said, “I go to Wal-Mart every morning to get chips and drinks to take the kids on trips that don’t cost them anything.” He also mentioned that concessions were used to purchase the bus that was used to transport the children. “I bought this bus so that I could take my children from here to Sasse Park for practice. The program’s advisory members discussed the future of the program and if they could alter their fate to save their program from being cut. Many people stated that the program had a positive effect on the community throughout the meeting. These programs are also supported by research. A 2015 National Institutes of Health study supports the effectiveness of such programs. Sheriff Charles Jones stated that the jail’s current location needs to be rebuilt. On Sunflower Avenue, the current jail is a two-story, decaying building. The roof of the building is bent and unsteady, and it appears that it is splitting in half. A concrete ramp leads up to the building. “See that? That was necessary to prevent people from falling (referring to the ramp). Jones stated that the foundation was so bad that concrete had to be put there.
On the second floor, business operations are held. There is damage from leaky roofs and missing floor tiles. Wires hang from the ceiling. Rain-filled garbage cans. Walls and furniture have discolored. Sheriff said that doors won’t shut and that ceilings are caving. The original construction of the facility, which has 177 beds, cost $5 million. It is now deteriorating faster that the maintenance crew can repair it. Pearson, the president of the Coahoma board, stated that the jail was opened six months after his election in 1996. “Needless to say, we felt like it should have lasted a lot longer.”
Coahoma County Board of Supervisors made the decision to start work on a new jail. However, it took many years, many discussions and outside architects to confirm that this was necessary before the new jail could be built.
“I wanted to ensure that there was a jail. I wanted to ensure we had enough money to pay for what we were trying build, and to try to protect the taxpayers. It was hard for me to convince them. Pearson stated that it took them time to convince him of the necessity for a new jail.
The Coahoma County Justice Complex is a one-story, 4,500-square-foot building that is currently under construction on U.S. 49. It will house the justice court and sheriff’s offices as well as a smaller jail with a capacity of 155 people. Supervisors will look at a budget to pay for the new jail. It calls for unspecified cuts in 25 of the 55 county departments. For the next five year, the plan calls for an increase in taxes of 2 mills. The millage rate is the measurement of property values that are used to calculate local property taxes. Mills are property values. One mill is equal to $1 in taxes for every 1,000 tax-assessed values. Some parents in Coahoma County see the financial benefits of keeping the youth program in place – for their families as well as the community. Angela Gardner-Chestnut is a single mother of three boys aged 8-14 years old. She says this program has many benefits for her family. She said it provides a safe environment, challenges her children academically and socially, and is much cheaper than the $500 per month she would spend on day care. Gardner-Chestnut stated that it reinforces the lessons in schools and helps children to develop social skills and confidence at an early age.
They have taken the kids to so many places, from professional football games to professional basketball, softball games, and even professional hockey players. Some of these children have never been outside Clarksdale. Never. It’s my favorite program.”
