Retrospective on So. Commissioner Billy Sexton

Longtime Southern Commissioner Billy Sexton announced earlier this year that he would not run again for the position he has held since 2011. Sexton was first appointed to the position in 2011 and was the last person elected as a Democrat in the county. In 2014, he changed his party affiliation to Republican and continued to run, and be elected, as the Southern Commissioner. During this time, Sexton’s tenure features two big accomplishments-- the purchase of the current road & bridge shed for the Southern District, and the road and bridge tax. 

 

County voters passed a sales tax for the purpose of county road improvements in April 2017, and collections on the tax were held off until later in the year following the historic flooding that same month. “We truly need to sustain that sales tax,” said Sexton, “It's the livelihood of the road and bridge.”  In April 2021, Howell County voters approved continuing the one half of one percent sales tax for the purpose of maintenance and improvements to county roads and bridges through September 30, 2029. “Before that sales tax, we didn't even have the money to patch potholes,” he said. “It was rough down here.” Sexton has often bragged during meetings on community voters for continuing the tax and how it has helped the over 1,000 miles of dirt roads in the county. Money from this tax can only be used for the purchase of stone, gravel, culverts, fuel, asphalt, concrete and other materials and cannot be used for employee salaries or new equipment. The County uses this money to help improve the rural roads in the county and help build them up, something many of the clay roads needed. 

 

When Sexton joined the commission, the southern road & bridge department was in need of a new shed. Sexton saw an opportunity when the property located at 4240 US 160 south of West Plains came up for auction in 2015. “We made a bid on the property at a live auction.” said Sexton. “I, along with Mark Collins, made a bid and the bank rejected it.”

 

The bank selling the property at over $700,000. Sexton spoke with a bank representative at the auction, telling them that the county was interested in buying the building.  A year rolled by. and the property remained for sale - now listed with a realtor. The southern commissioner says he contacted the bank again, offering his price of $150,000 and was declined again.

 

Another year later, in 2017, Sexton received a call from the bank, asking if he was still interested in the property at $155,000, and he agreed. “Through negotiations and being patient and watching things, we ended up getting that thing bought for $155,000.” The property is roughly five acres and 11,000 square feet. The building and has kitchens, bathrooms, showers, conference rooms, an office, and double bays. “It's an outstanding facility and I would welcome any of our people to just go out there and do a walkthrough.”

 

Those interested in seeing this or the northern road and bridge shed should contact the commission to set up a walkthrough.

 

“I don't think there's anybody in Howell County that really don't know him,” said Ralph Riggs, Presiding Commissioner on Sexton. “He seems to know everybody and has a good rapport with his constituents. I've worked with him as county surveyor and he was commissioner, and also for two years now as presiding commissioner. I've always found (Sexton) to be knowledgeable of county business and knowledgeable of road maintenance. He's knowledgeable about budgets and he's been very careful with the county's money.”

 

Riggs said he's going to miss Sexton's humor and coon hunting stories. One of the recent accomplishments of the commission is passing the Senior Tax Credit. “I think that's an accomplishment that the whole commission, with Billy and everyone, that we've put forth.”

 

Bruce Williams is the Southern Commissioner-elect for Howell County and has been working under Sexton for many years. He has been training to take over for the position since winning the primary in August. Williams spoke with the News on his time with Sexton. “It's been going well. He's tried to include me on all aspects of the county, including at the commission, the courthouse, and the office. He's really showed me the ropes and been good to let me know on everything that needs to be going on.”

 

Williams also spoke on what it was like having Sexton as his boss. “It's actually been pretty good. He treats the employees real well. He tries to help us out the best he can. He's been one of the best bosses, and I think I can speak for the whole crew, that we've had. We've had good bosses in the past but, he's really been there and helped us out. (Sexton) got us things that over the years that we needed and continued to build and try to help the county and us at the same time.”