5 Critical Ways The Mississippi Association Of Supervisors Is Shaping County Futures In 2025
The Mississippi Association of Supervisors (MAS) is the vital, unified voice for county government across the Magnolia State, representing all 82 counties and their elected supervisors. As of late 2025, the organization is driving a powerful legislative agenda focused on securing essential funding and administrative reforms to enhance local services, tackle critical infrastructure deficits, and empower county officials to better serve their constituents. This in-depth look explores the association's current leadership, its high-stakes legislative roadmap for the upcoming session, and the key conferences shaping the future of Mississippi's county governance.
The work of the MAS is more critical than ever, addressing major challenges like rural economic development, population shifts, and the persistent need for road and bridge maintenance. By advocating for increased state support and providing essential training, the MAS ensures that Mississippi’s county supervisors are equipped to manage the complex demands of their roles, from managing multi-million-dollar budgets to overseeing public safety and infrastructure projects across their respective districts.
The 2025-2026 MAS Leadership and Organizational Structure
The Mississippi Association of Supervisors operates with a dedicated team of staff and a rotating board of directors composed of elected county supervisors from across the state's regions. This structure ensures that the organization's advocacy efforts are directly informed by the real-world challenges faced by local governments in all 82 Mississippi counties.
Executive and Elected Officers
The day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the MAS are managed by its professional staff, while the elected officers provide the political leadership and regional representation necessary for effective statewide advocacy. This blend of professional management and elected official experience is key to the organization's influence within the Mississippi Legislature.
- Executive Director: Derrick Surrette. As the organization's chief administrator, Mr. Surrette is deeply involved in county government on a daily basis, guiding the MAS staff and coordinating legislative strategy. His role is central to translating the needs of county supervisors into actionable policy proposals.
- MAS President (2025-2026): Anjuan Brown. Hailing from Leflore County, President Brown serves as the primary spokesperson and chairperson for the association, leading the charge on key initiatives and representing the North Central Region.
- First Vice President: Troy Ross. Representing Jackson County, Mr. Ross plays a critical role in supporting the President and often takes the lead on regional issues, particularly those impacting the Mississippi Coast and its unique economic and infrastructural demands.
- Director of Finance and Program Development: Stephanie Spangler. Responsible for the financial health of the organization and the development of programs that benefit county governments.
- Public Policy Analyst: Yamaiky Gamez. A key staff member focused on researching, developing, and tracking the legislative proposals that form the core of the MAS's advocacy efforts.
MAS 2025 Legislative Roadmap: Driving County Infrastructure Forward
The 2025 legislative session is paramount for the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, with its agenda centered on stabilizing county finances and making significant, long-overdue investments in public works. The MAS has developed a comprehensive "Mississippi Legislative Roadmap for 2025" to guide its advocacy efforts, focusing heavily on infrastructure and financial autonomy.
The Critical Need for Infrastructure Funding
Infrastructure remains the single most pressing concern for county supervisors, particularly in Mississippi’s largely rural landscape where population change and out-migration in many counties complicate service delivery. The MAS is actively pushing for new ways to strengthen and empower county government through dedicated funding mechanisms.
1. State Aid Road Construction Program Reform
A cornerstone of the MAS's 2025 proposals is securing stable and increased funding for the State Aid Road Construction Program (OSARC). Supervisors are requesting specific legislation to provide the full statutory reimbursement for county road and bridge projects. This is essential, as the State Aid Road Construction program is the primary mechanism for counties to maintain and upgrade their extensive network of local roads and bridges, which are vital for commerce and public safety. Supplemental funding, such as the $45 million included in the fiscal 2025 state budget, is a welcome step, but the MAS seeks a permanent, predictable funding stream.
2. Maximizing Federal and State Grant Programs
The MAS is working to help counties navigate and maximize funding opportunities from both the state and federal levels. This includes:
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021: Assisting counties in the final allocation and utilization of remaining ARPA funds for water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure projects.
- County Infrastructure Forward: Advocating for the continued and expanded use of state-level grant programs, such as the Mississippi County Water & Sewer Infrastructure Grant Program, to meet the acute infrastructure needs of current and future business users.
- Delta Regional Authority Funding: Promoting the use of grants to spur economic development and infrastructure upgrades, particularly in the state’s Delta region.
3. Administrative and Financial Autonomy
Beyond infrastructure, the MAS agenda includes administrative reforms aimed at providing greater flexibility and financial stability to county boards. One recurring topic of debate is the compensation of county supervisors, with recent discussions in the media highlighting the need to address whether county supervisors need a pay raise to attract and retain qualified public servants. Furthermore, the association advocates for legislation that grants county governments more local control over zoning, permitting, and other administrative functions, allowing them to respond quickly to unique local challenges, such as labor tensions in areas like Jackson County.
Key 2025 Events: Training and Policy Development
A core function of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors is to provide ongoing education, networking, and policy development opportunities for county officials and others on topics and issues important to county governments. The 2025 calendar is packed with critical meetings designed to strengthen county governance.
The 2025 Mid-Winter Legislative Conference
Held early in the legislative session, the Mid-Winter Legislative Conference is a crucial event where county supervisors meet with state legislators and policy experts to finalize their legislative strategy and lobby for their key proposals. The 2025 conference took place in January, serving as the official launch of the MAS legislative roadmap. MDOT Executive Director Brad White was a featured speaker, underscoring the vital partnership between the counties and the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
The 2025 Annual Convention
The largest gathering of Mississippi county officials, the MAS 2025 Annual Convention is scheduled for June 9–12, 2025, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi, MS (Harrison County). This multi-day event features extensive training sessions, policy discussions, and the election of new officers, providing a vital forum for supervisors to share best practices and strategize on issues ranging from public safety and law enforcement risk management to economic development and fiscal policy.
The 2025 Fall Educational & Policy Development Workshop
Later in the year, the Fall Educational & Policy Development Workshop is essential for setting the stage for the following year’s legislative session. This workshop focuses on training supervisors in new ways to strengthen and empower county government, allowing them to refine their policy positions and prepare new legislative proposals. It is a key step in the continuous cycle of advocacy and education that defines the MAS’s mission.
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