NATCHEZ, Miss. — Adams County supervisors Ricky Gray and Kevin Wilson exchanged angry words Monday as they discussed an investigation by the state auditor that Wilson said is warranted by supervisors’ alleged wrongdoing in approving a controversial garbage contract.
Wilson alleged Adams County and Natchez government officials have a history of taking bribes and stealing money in the past couple of decades, but he cited no verified blame of his board colleagues for such corruption.
However, “You are accusing me of it, but I never did anything wrong.” Gray told Wilson.
The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in April to contract the New Orleans-based garbage collector that provides the twice-a-week pickup service for county households outside Natchez. With it costing about $900,000-a-year more than the previous garbage contract, Wilson has been outspokenly against the deal he’s said is “suspect” and “done in the dark.”
“Somebody took money on that trash contract,” Wilson said Monday. “If somebody is doing something wrong on the county’s dime or the city’s dime, it’s wrong.”
In rebutting Wilson’s insinuations, Gray said he strives to not tarnish his 23-year record in public office as a county supervisor and previously a Natchez alderman honestly doing what he believes is best for Adams County and its residents.
“I love my name, and I’m not going to do anything to mess up my name,” Gray said.
Gray prompted the exchange between him and Wilson at Monday’s board meeting when he complained about the state auditor’s office being called to investigate certain Adams County employees unfairly when others should also be scrutinized.
In response to Gray’s comments, Wilson said his request to get the state auditor’s office to review Adams County’s operations is a worthwhile effort. “Maybe people will pay attention to how the city and county spends money,” Wilson said. “They don’t know how to save money or spend money.”
Wilson – finishing his first term as an Adams County supervisor – pointed to his efforts to cut spending as the county board’s only Republican. “It’s a new sheriff in town, but I’ve got just one vote,” he said.
Mississippi Auditor Shad White’s purview includes government management practices and suspected financial violations or misspent funds as his office ensures public funds are legally and efficiently spent. White’s spokesman, Fletcher Freeman, said he couldn’t comment on any investigation that may be ongoing. He did say the auditor’s office evaluates any complaints or tips it receives to determine their validity.
Wilson said earlier this year he “engaged the state auditor’s office” to look into his concerns about the garbage contract.
For the fiscal year that began Sunday, the total cost of Adams County’s garbage services has been projected to be about $2.6 million – an increase that prompted the county board to plan a rate hike on what county residents must pay to have their trash picked up.
The Board of Supervisors has set an Oct. 25 public hearing for residents to express their concerns about whether to increase the $15-a-month garbage tax now imposed on residents living outside Natchez. The board has discussed raising it to as much as $35 per month for the 6,000 or so households to have their trash picked up twice a week.
The special garbage tax hike will be in addition to the higher land taxes supervisors have imposed on all Natchez and Adams County property owners for 2024.
The board in April contracted United Infrastructure Services as the county’s garbage collector – a vote that split supervisors: Gray, Warren Gaines and Angela Hutchins for; Wilson and Wes Middleton against.
The two board dissidents argued for reducing garbage collection to once a week to save money. Questions were also raised about the board’s decision to contract a company run by the same operators of Adams County’s previous garbage collector that went bankrupt.
Board members in favor of the United Infrastructure contract said Adams County residents demand twice-a-week pickups they’ve had for years and from operators that supervisors Gaines and Gray said have “a proven history of helping the county.”
The increased costs of the contract put Adams County $540,000 “in the hole,” said county budget advisor Chuck Lambert, citing the need to increase the fee for trash-collection expenses.
The argument Monday between Gray and Wilson comes as they face reelection challengers on next month’s general election ballot. District 2 voters will decide to pick Wilson or opponent Francis Ransom. Gray is being challenged by Jacquetta McCranie in District 4.
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