Springs Park projects ongoing

Justin Hall, executive director of Marshall County Industrial Development Authority, spoke with supervisors about legislation to be discussed by the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative body as lawmakers get ready for the next session.

Some items include streaming the economic incentive process and the proposed income tax eliminations program.

These measures would affect how IDA operates and could impact local industry and business, he said.

On another IDA topic, District 4 supervisor George Zinn III asked where the Springs Industrial Park stands and infrastructure for it.

Hall said wastewater handling will be a big infrastructure component, and grant funds were secured to provide sewer service to the BNSFcertified site through a Holly Springs ARC grant.

And enhancing the Springs Industrial Park entrance off Eddie Lee Smith Drive is close to completion. The current project will help in the completion of the third phase of Tribble Road work on the south side of I-22 that runs up to the airport.

Hall said IDA is focusing its water, sewer and gas infrastructure work on the certified site on the north side of Highway 178.

A lift station is located near a church on the north side of the highway that will help develop the area for clients wanting rail service with BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) railroad, the only BNSF-certified site in the Southeastern United States.

Interstate-22 splits the park. Sewer service stops at the tabernacle on 178, he said.

There is potential to develop onsite treatment if a project justifies the need. Upgrade of Tribble Road does not include utilities, he said.

Consultant Gary Anderson said proposing an overpass over the railroad tracks at Potts Camp could be put on the table at the legislature. It would ease stopped traffic. He said the railroad is violating its own rules of not staying on the track at intersections for more than 20 minutes.

District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett said the railroad is not breaking parked trains to leave an opening for roadway traffic.

“They have no one to break them,” he said.

The trains are often a mile or more long.

“You can sit an hour and a half waiting on one to move,” Bennett said. “Then another one comes and sits. Fire and ambulance can’t get across the track. It’s a safety issue.”

District 1 supervisor Charles Terry said documentation is needed on delays for ambulances and fire trucks.

In other business, the board of supervisors:

• discussed whether a drop box could

be placed in the county administrator’s office where people can leave Team Waste payments for convenience.

Tim Powell, county administrator, said a box could be put in his office during daytime hours.

The board passed a motion to contact Team Waste about the idea.

• considered building a walking track at the Mt. Pleasant Community Center. District 2 supervisor Eddie Dixon expressed alarm that the growing community’s residents are walking on the shoulders of the roads creating a danger for themselves.

“They (vehicles) are flying on Highway 72 at Byers in the morning,” Dixon said. “Who do we need to see? We are enjoying the growth, that’s fine, but people need to be respecting the schools. People don’t respect the school buses.”

Bennett said the state would have jurisdiction and the say in the matter.

The board then approved a motion to lay a path of asphalt at the Mt. Pleasant walking track.

• discussed safety issues on Young Road. Zinn asked if speed bumps would help get the attention of speeders.

Board attorney Amanda Smith said the county can put up signs saying reduced speed ahead.

Powell said rumble strips would take liability off the county as opposed to speed humps or speed bumps.

“The rumble strips will just vibrate your car,” he said.

Bennett said the homeowners’ association put up speed bumps at Lake Center. A 20 mph speed limit was placed around the lake.

County road manager Mario Pegues said county engineer Larry Britt said humps can be put in if the speed limit is lowered to 15 mph so travelers won’t tear up their cars.

“What about trying rumble strips first?” Smith asked.

Supervisors passed a motion to authorize rumble strips.

• approved a motion by District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor to write a resolution in support of more water towers in the industrial parks and use of American Rescue Plan dollars to support the project. A motion for issuing cleanup orders in his district was also passed.

• approved holidays including Nov. 2526 for Thanksgiving; Dec. 23-24 for Christmas; and Dec. 31 for New Year’s. The board set Wed., Dec. 22, for the county fish fry for employees at the National Guard Armory.

• approved a motion to follow the Mississippi statutes in delineation of duties of county road manager and administrator.

• authorized a grant with Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for $23,755 for waste tire disposal.

• approved a payment to Roberts Builders of $70,175 for work on restoration of the historic Rosenwald School on Isaac Chapel Road.

• approved a quote from Joe Fant of $10,750 for installation of the communications system at the new justice court complex.

• authorized pay request #13 from Dean & Dean Architects for $110,136. The justice court complex is substantially completed and ready for occupancy. Insurance cannot be purchased on the building until the county gets final occupancy on the structure.