Jackson Jambalaya

The EPA recommended the West Rankin Utility Authority repay $663,321 of an original grant of $1,932,200 in a preliminary report issued on October 13, 2009. The grant was issued on August 24, 2001 for sewer system evaluation, a water supply feasibility study, and other related tasks (The details of the project are on p.6). WRMA was a deadline of February 10, 2010 to respond. Copy of report

The EPA ruled the West Rankin Utility Authority violated several guidelines in relation to the grant. It stated WRUA did not seek bids for the architectural and engineering service contract but instead gave it to one firm. WRUA did not have its own "written procurement procedures". WRMA "did not have a financial management system" and "did not monitor grant activities" as required by federal law (p.8). Because there was no such system in place, WRMA was not able to account for how the money was spent as it maintained little, if any records. The EPA further "questioned $1,745,457 of costs claimed under the grant" for A&E fees and that the WRMA met two of the five criteria needed to be classified as a "high-risk" grantee.

What was particularly interesting was the managers did not follow federal guidelines which state the government agency must seek bids for such services. Instead they followed state guidelines, which, surprise, allow such a government entity to select a A&E firm based upon "qualifications" for professional services and requires no bids from competing firms. (Just think Jim Hood and Joey Langston or Mike Moore and Dickie Scruggs.) One must wonder exactly what is going on as Mr. Rhoads, Miller, and other members of the board are experienced public officials and know that for every federal grant, there is a specific set of guidelines that must be followed to the letter or else the grant has to be repaid.

WRMA responded in a letter dated August 31, 2009 signed by WMRA President and Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads. He claimed WMRA was a newly-created agency when the grant was awarded with "little staff". Mr. Rhoads did not deny WMRA's failure to seek bids for A&E services and stated it was in compliance with "state regulations." It said its "bid selection committee" (which was unidentified) was satisfied the fees were not excessive and said the decision was "informed". Mr. Rhoads stated an experienced accounting firm has been hired to remedy the deficiencies in their accounting system.

What exactly IS the West Rankin Utility Authority? It has no website. There is no mention of it in The Yellow Pages or The Yellow Book. An online search of the realpages.com provides a "Rankin West Utility Authority" that is located on Old Highway 49S in Richland but the phone number given is for Flowood City Hall. In contrast to this lack of transparency, the Madison Wastewater Authority posts all minutes of its meetings online (not surprising since the splendid Madison County Chancery Clerk is the secretary), while Jackson's is online as well.

The letterhead in the response states the board members are Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads, Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers, Flowood Public Works Director Gary Miller (Executive Director), Mayor Tim Coulter, Benny French of PRVD, Dick Vanderleest, Richland Mayor Mark Scarborough, and Joe F. Donald, Jr. It should also be noted several of these officials are also members of the Rankin-Hinds Levee Board. It has been reported to JJ Mr. Miller is no longer the Executive Director but that has not been confirmed. Attempts to reach several board members were unsuccessful.

The EPA also made a similar recommendation on a 1995 grant to the City of Flowood. The EPA issued a report on October 27, 2009 in which it recommended Flowood should repay $896,224 for similar violations. Copy of report. Flowood's response is on page 14 of the report.

Note: Any additional information provided by Flowood or WRMA officials will be posted on this website. Efforts were made to contact Mr. Miller and Scarborough but were unsuccessful.