New Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors President Josh Todd said he expected the board to run as smoothly as it did under former President Joe Norwood.

Todd was nominated for the position by District 1 Supervisor Jonathan Wells during Tuesday’s regular board meeting at the Courthouse Annex. Wells also nominated District 2 Supervisor Wayman Newell for vice president, which the board approved. Todd was the previous the board’s vice president.

“I’m honored the board had enough confidence and faith in me to elect me as its president for the 2017 year,” Todd said. “Mr. Norwood has done a great job being fair. Whether you came before the board singing our praises or with complaints, he always was fair. I intend to do the same. We’re going to run the meeting as efficiently as we can and bring as much professionalism to Lauderdale County from the board as we can.”

Todd said he does have priorities.

“Jobs for people in Lauderdale County and continue to improve our infrastructure are two priorities,” Todd said. “Infrastructure, like the courthouse, is a separate entity all to itself.”

Newell was thankful for the board’s support.

“I’m happy to serve the board any way I can,” Newell said. “I hope for 2017 a brighter future for the county.”

Other business

• Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk Donna Jill Johnson administered the oath of office to the election commissioners. They included Chuck Overby, District 1; Consuela Naylor, District 2; Awana Simmons, District 3; Gloria Dancy, District 4; and Jeff Tate, District 5. Overby took over for the retired Wallace Heggie, while Naylor took over for the retired Evelyn Acklin. Heggie attended Tuesday’s meeting and the supervisors thanked Heggie for his service.

• Supervisors also re-employed Administrator Chris Lafferty, county engineer Engineering Plus, interim Road Manager Greg Collins, Comptroller Linda Posey, Fire Coordinator Allan Dover and the law firm of Barry, Thaggard, May & Bailey as board attorneys.

• Supervisors accepted Lafferty’s request to accept Puckett Rents Mississippi low quote for a Brushwolf brush cutter. Puckett’s quote was $12,250,000. Thompson Tractor Co. quoted a price of $12,850. Quotes from Puckett Rents were also approved for equipment that included three sizes of augers, a 78-inch grapple bucket ($4,385), a 72-inch grapple rake ($3,025) and a hydraulic thumb ($1,770). Thompson Tractor Co. was the higher bidder for all equipment.

• Lafferty’s request to advance a $35,500 grant to the Emergency Watershed Grant from the general fund was approved.

• Sheriff Billy Sollie’s request to hire various personnel was approved as was his request to send employees to training opportunities around the region.

• Supervisors approved an Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for CertainTeed Ceilings Corp. for a period of 10 years beginning Jan. 2016 with a total value of $15,246.136.