Rankin County, Mississippi

County Home Page

Board of Supervisors

The five-member board is the chief policy making and administrative body or unit of the county. Each county is divided into five districts, commonly referred to as "beats". Each district elects a supervisor who serves a four-year term.

Each supervisor handles some administrative duties in their district, together the members set policy. While each supervisor represents their district, all of the members are expected to look after the good of the county as a whole.

Road construction and maintenance are the responsibility of the Board. It is a very important job to be responsible for hundreds of miles of local highways and roads. The board can also set traffic regulations for the county roads. But the board must look after many things in addition to roads.

The power to tax and the power to appropriate and budget funds are the two most significant powers the board exercises.

Board meetings are held twice a month. Meetings are open to the public. The board serves a unique role in Mississippi counties -- it is the one body which supervises almost everything that goes on in county government.

Board Members

DISTRICT 1	DISTRICT 2	DISTRICT 3	DISTRICT 4	DISTRICT 5
Sid Scarbrough email	Scott Berry email	Brad Calhoun email	Steve Gaines email	Jay Bishop email

Chancery Clerk

Chancery Clerk Mark S. Scarborough E-mail Mark             Chief Deputy of Senior Services Amie Mondello E-mail Amie Chief Deputy Court Records David Morrow III E-mail David Chief Deputy Land Records Jessica Flood  E-mail Jessica

 To view and pay delinquent tax amounts, click below:

⇒DELINQUENT TAX AMOUNTS⇐

 To view our online Land Records Database, click below:

ONLINE LAND RECORDS DATABASE

Circuit Clerk

20th Circuit Court District & County Court

Circuit Clerk Responsibilities

• Serves as Clerk of the County and Circuit Courts.
• Receives and files all lawsuits, indictments, motions and other related papers in all Civil and Criminal Cases filed in the Circuit or County Courts and issues all process including summons and subpoenas.
• Draws Jurors and qualifies Juries. (You do not have to serve on jury duty if you are over the age of 65. You may call the Circuit Clerk's Office and excused as a Juror if you are over 65.  If you would like to be permanently removed because of a disability or age exemption, you can come by and sign a form).
• Keeps a record of all Judgments and Executions.
• Issues marriage licenses and keeps records of marriages.
• Records medical and other professional licenses.
• Registers citizens to vote and has other duties in handling elections.

Election Information (click here)

Voter Information

• You must be registered to vote thirty (30) days before an election.  You can register at 17 years old and vote if you turn 18 on election day.
• The Circuit Clerk’s Office is open for absentee voting two Saturdays prior to every election from 8:00 a.m. until noon. The deadline to cast an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is noon on the Saturday prior to an election.
• Absentee balloting begins forty-five (45) days prior to an election and ends at noon the Saturday before the election.

Marriage License Information 

• No appointment is needed but please arrive by 4:30 p.m.
• Bride and Groom must come to the Circuit Clerk's office together to apply.
• Marriage License Cost is $37.00 cash or 38.50 for credit card.  Credit card fees apply.
• Proof of age must be provided in the form of Driver's License, Birth Certificate or other legal document which contains name and date of birth.
• The Circuit Clerk shall not issue a marriage license to any male applicant under seventeen (17) years of age, or any female applicant under fifteen (15) years of age, without a court order from a Circuit, County or Chancery Judge.
• If either applicant is under 21 years of age, he/she must have consent from parents or legal guardians giving their permission to apply for the marriage license.
• If applicants have previously been married and divorced or lost a spouse through death, the applicant will need to supply the month, day and year the marriage ended.
• Once a license is issued, it does not expire.

For information on legal assistance, please contact one of the following:

• Mission First Legal Aid Office 601.608.0056
• Mississippi Volunteers Lawyers Project 601.960.9577
• Mississippi Center for Legal Services 1.800.498.1804

County Prosecutor

District Attorney

Election Commission

The Rankin County Election Commission is made up of 5 commissioners, representing each of the 5 supervisors' districts. The job of the Election Commission is to uphold the election laws and to conduct the county, state, and federal elections (general, special and run-off) in an honest and fair manner, and in accordance with the law. Primary elections are overseen by the respective county party executive committees. The Rankin County Election Commission is not involved with these elections unless contracted to assist by the executive committee(s).

It is also our duty on all county, state, and federal elections to prepare and print ballots, hire, and train poll workers, secure all election day supplies and documentation, prepare voting machines for each election, prepare poll books, compile precinct results on election day, certify election results, as well as maintain, and update voter rolls as guided by state and federal law, purge voter rolls in compliance with the National Voters Rights Act, and attend Election Conventions and training workshops.

 You can help the Rankin County Election Commissioners keep the voter rolls updated by notifying us if you move or if a family member has passed away.

 You can also volunteer to work as a poll worker in Rankin County, which is a paid position, by contacting any one of the Rankin County Election Commissioners or by contacting the Rankin County Circuit Clerk’s office, who will then put you in touch with the Election Commission.

District 1 - Kelly Wedgeworth
District 2 - Andrew Sorrentino
District 3 - Tonya Rivers
District 4 - Rusty Bain
District 5 - Trey Fontaine

• To speak to someone call: 601-825-1466 (Circuit Clerk's office)
• To leave a message call: 601-824-7114 (Election Commissioner's office)

Sheriff's Office

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Sheriff's Department is the chief law enforcement agency in Rankin County. The Sheriff and his deputies respond to calls for emergency service, enforce local ordinances, state and federal law, and maintain a sense of tranquility by visibility in the communities they patrol. Thus, they take responsibility for the safety and well being of all persons living in and visiting Rankin County.

The following Departments fall under the Sheriff's responsibilities:

• Office Administration
• Criminal Investigations
• Court Services
• Dispatch & Patrol
• Detention Centers
• Law Enforcement Training
• Animal Control

                                                                                                                                 Bryan Bailey, Sheriff

Tax Assessor

Tax Collector

Accounting

The Accounting Department is overseen by the Comptroller and is responsible for maintaining an accurate detail of the annual budget, general journal, receipts and expenditures of the county. Payroll and inventory control also fall under the purview of the Comptroller.

The annual budget is prepared and implemented under the direction of the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator. Receipts are posted daily while the docket of claims payable are approved by the Board of Supervisors at a regular meeting on or before the 15th of each month and are released for payment on the 15th. It is required by section 19-11-23 of the Miss. Code of 1972, that at a regular monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors a financial report showing expenditures and liabilities incurred against each separate budget during the preceding month be submitted. Receipts from taxes and other sources during the preceding month are also required to be reported.

All county employees are paid bi-weekly and all elected officials are paid monthly. The county is a member of the Mississippi Public Employees Retirement System and provides retirement benefits to its full time employees. Various other benefits are made available to employees such as medical and dental insurances, life insurance, and direct deposit.

County assets required to be accounted for are managed by the inventory control clerk. A permanent record of such assets is maintained and a physical inventory is performed before October 1 of each year and filed with the Board of Supervisors and with the Office of the State Auditor.

Addressing 9-1-1

This department assigns 911 physical addresses in the county (areas outside of incorporated municipalities). Our rural addressing manager uses a Distance Measuring Instrument to make sure addresses are as accurate as possible. This department also has the availability of the GPS unit with its laser gun for obtaining addresses to which they can't drive. Rural Addressing also has the responsibility of making all of the street and road signs in the county outside of municipalities.

Rankin County has a Global Positioning System (GPS) vehicle along with a laser gun which aids in obtaining accurate (to 1 meter) road centerlines, buildings, and anything else that can be described as a "line" or a "point".

To contact the Rankin County Addressing Department, please call 601-824-2423 or email the Addressing Manager.

Administration

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board of Supervisors delegate and assign to the county administrator the duties and responsibilities, in whole or in part, as the Board may determine, not contrary to the laws of the State of Mississippi or the Constitution, and not assigned by law to other officers as follows:

Employ an office clerk and such other technical and secretarial assistance for the board as may be needed, maintain an office for the board and prepare a budget for his office subject to approval of the board;

Generate the Board of Supervisor's agenda. The agenda is a detailed list of the items to be discussed in a Board Meeting. Citizens or organizations wishing to participate in a Board Meeting, should contact this office to be included on the agenda.

Advise the Board as to the county eligibility and availability of federal or state grants and assistance.

Securing insurance coverage for the county.

Be responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the board of supervisors;

Exercise supervision over the boards or other divisions of county government, except for the sheriff's department, financed in whole or in part through taxes levied on county property and purchases shall be made from vendors whose bids have been accepted by the board of supervisors under the provisions of law;

Prepare the budget for consideration by the board of supervisors and assist the board of supervisors in the preparation of the tax levy; however, the sheriff, any governing authority, as defined in Section 31-7-1, funded in whole or in part by the board of supervisors shall be responsible for preparing their respective budgets for consideration by the board of supervisors;

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, 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. He shall work out a plan of insurance for the county which will ensure minimum premiums;

Receive inquires and complaints from citizens of the county as to the operation of county government, investigate such inquires and complaints, and shall report his finding 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;

Perform any and all other administrative duties that the board of supervisors could legally perform 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.

For more information, contact Janice Dendy, Administrative Assistant to the County Administrator & Board of Supervisors.

Animal Shelter

The Rankin County Animal Shelter is located at 710 Marquette Road in Brandon, MS. The shelter is open from 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday - Friday. The animal shelter also serves as dispatch for the Rankin County Sheriff's Department Animal Control Division. The shelter's phone number is 601-824-2024.

Find us on Facebook.

Community Development

Welcome to the Rankin County Community Development web page. This department is broad in scope. We manage and distribute information which relates in part, to elements of planning and community development as well as document and process storm water and property maintenance comments and concerns. Much of the information requires follow-up consultation and cooperation with other departments within County government.

The use of computer web sites allow interested parties to access basic information, including forms and maps that are relevant in decision making.  We encourage the public to use this web site to formulate questions and comments. We also encourage you to contact us via phone and when necessary set appointments with staff personnel before making purchases and other important decisions. Many policies and procedures of this department are dependent upon information you provide.  Many general rules provided here may or may not apply based on the nature of your project.

Thank you for visiting this site. We look forward to working with you personally as we process your requests, comments and concerns.

[email protected]

Emergency Management Operations

The Emergency Management Operations or commonly referred as EOC is a multi-functional agency whose primary duty is to prepare, respond and recover from several types of natural, man-made and technological disasters that may occur in Rankin County. These disasters include severe weather emergencies such as large thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, large fires and hazardous materials HAZMAT incidents. We also serve as a support agency for other county departments as well as assisting municipalities as needed. We are the liaison agency between the cities and county to the State of Mississippi and the Federal Government in case of a major disaster.

On a daily basis, our E-911 Division provides addresses to the un-incorporated areas of the county in order to maintain a database for the 911 system. When someone dials 911, one of the six PSAPS (public safety answering points) within our county receives the call with this address data on a screen to facilitate the dispatch of required assistance. With this information available, the dispatcher may still send help to a location even if the caller is unable to speak or the connection is lost. Calls are automatically routed to the jurisdiction in which the calls originate. This saves valuable time for the caller to get help.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) works closely with radio and TV media to inform the public, warn of impending or actual disasters, weather, and advise citizens of action to take should emergencies occur.

LINKS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• National Weather Service Forcast - Jackson, MS
• MEMA - Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
• Mississippi Homeland Security
• FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency
• NOAA - National Weather Service
• Ambulance District Map
• ESN Map

Fire Coordinator

Rankin County Fire / Emergency Service is responsible for providing fire suppression, prevention, pre-hospital medical care, and rescue to over 120,000 citizens of the county covering approximately 800 square miles. We have twenty –one departments operating out of thirty-five stations strategically located through out the county. Our first line response vehicles include four aerial devices, over thirty pumpers, fifteen rescue squads, twenty tankers and several special response units (brush rigs).

Rankin County boasts the fact that we have more certified firefighters than any other county in the State. Based on that fact, we enjoy lower insurance ratings. All graded parts of the county are at least an ISO class 8 with three areas being a class 5 and two being a 6.

All units operate under automatic mutual aid response on structure fires or other large events. Over 60% of our firefighters are trained to at least the first responder level with many being certified to the EMT and paramedic level. Other areas of certification include; high angle rescue, confined space rescue, haz-mat technician, fire service instructor, dive rescue, WMD, Smoke Diver, rescue specialist, and extrication.

Public safety and welfare are very high priorities for our local government leaders. Making sure we have the best possible tools and training to perform our job has been a top priority. The oldest first line pumper is a 1994 model. In 2001 Rankin County purchased 40 bi-phasic automatic defibrillators to be placed each of the apparatus.

In 2002-03, two 2000 gallon tankers were added to the fleet, and in 2004-05 several new rescue vehicles and an additional tanker were added.

Jobs & Contracts

Information Technology

The Information Technology Department provides the computer hardware and software support to the employees of Rankin County's many diverse departments. The department works in conjunction with County departments to provide comprehensive data processing and telecommunications services using the latest technology and high speed connectivity.

The Information Technology Department is an internal resource only.

Multi Purpose Pavilion

PAVILION

The Rankin County Multipurpose Pavilion is conveniently located on 27.5 acres near I-20 and just east of Jackson, Mississippi making it the ideal location for a large variety of events. The pavilion has 200 feet by 120 feet covered main arena with bleacher seating for up to 400, another covered arena 196 feet by 113 feet, two hundred nineteen 10’ x 10’ equine stalls, and two wash racks all under 134,700 square feet of roof. The pavilion has three parking lots with ample space for events. Parking lot A is 3.1 acres of paved parking with space for 64 RV’s and trailers and is conveniently located near the equine stalls, arenas, and bathrooms for a nominal fee. Parking lots B and C offer 4.5 acres of free parking. The pavilion has 70 recreational vehicle electric hookups. A waste dumping station is located just 10 miles west of the pavilion at Pilot Flying J.

THE MARKET

The Market is 2,800 square feet of covered area located at the pavilion, which gives local vendors a place to sell their goods. For information on scheduling, pricing and reservations email [email protected].

TORNADO SAFE ROOM AND CONFERENCE CENTER

The Rankin County Multipurpose Pavilion has a FEMA 361 tornado safe room, which is open any time a tornado watch or warning is issued for Rankin County, MS by the National Weather Service. At other times, it is available for meetings, conferences, banquettes and other events. The safe room has 6,500 square feet of usable space, a 12’ x 8’ stage, sound system, projector, four TV's, 50 six feet tables and 300 chairs. For information and scheduling email [email protected] or call 601-825-9369.

 Watch events LIVE!

Rankin County Residents call 601-591-0944 for the practice arena schedule or like us on Facebook at Rankin County Multipurpose Pavilion. 

Contact the pavilion at [email protected] or 601-591-4726 for rental information.

For horse stalls or RV hook-ups contact your show manager, not the facility.

The gates are locked each night.

Click here for additional pictures