WOODVILLE &045;&045; County contracts for computer maintenance, appraisal and mapping services will now be awarded through the competitive bidding process, Wilkinson County Supervisors decided Monday.

District 4 Supervisor and Board President Robert Morgan said he recommended the action based on recent advice from the state Attorney General’s office.

Morgan said the topic was discussed last week at a meeting of county supervisors and officials from the Southwest Planning and Development District.

In the past, the county negotiated contracts for those services with Herring Appraisal and Computer Services, Inc. of Woodville and Graphics Elite of Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Last May, the county renewed its contract with Graphics Elite at a cost of $26,000.

During 2004 fiscal year budget talks in September, county officials projected Herring’s fee would run about $120,000 annually.

Previously, the Attorney General’s office said computer services fell into the category of professional services exempt from competitive bidding requirements.

Chancery Clerk Thomas Tolliver said the change stems from a recent state Supreme Court ruling.

In other action, the board:

4Approved the transfer of

$30,000 in State Aid Project funds to the H Street bridge replacement project in Crosby.

County engineer Phillip Chaffin said the money would be used to help build a diversion road at the site.

4Learned from Tolliver the county recently filed a request to spend $79,000 in homeland security grant money allotted to the county in 2003.

Tolliver said the money will be spent among the county’s public safety departments.

4Appointed District 2 Supervisor Richard Hollins to represent Wilkinson County on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Planning and Development District.

4Named the

Woodville/ Wilkinson County Main Street Association as the official tourism agency for the county.