County building work continues

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors continues to get the voting precincts ready for the Nov. 5 election. And a number of projects are ongoing.

Simpson Stroupe, in charge of building work, provided two quotes for gates to be installed in a fenced in yard between the justice court building and the new jail.

The quote of $8,000 from Fencing Solutions was approved. Columbus Fencing quoted $8,600.

Stroupe said there is a little more wall work to be done inside the jail before it is ready for occupancy.

The board decided to let county employees build the

gazebo at the walking trail under construction at the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park. The area, located in District 3, will serve as a place where workers can take lunch breaks and exercise.

Stroupe provided quotes for $3,500 for lumber and tin for the gazebo and $2,000 for labor and pouring of the concrete slab.

He said it is a two day project.

District 1 supervisor Charles Terry asked if the county should pay a contractor to build the structure or do it with county labor.

Stroupe said it could be done in two days with county employees providing the labor

Other work ongoing includes:

• flooring, cabinets, toilets and sinks that are to be installed at Early Grove Voting Precinct. The flooring has been laid.

• work on the restrooms at the Red Banks Fire Station.

• reorganization of the Byhalia Substation on Highway 309 North. The tax collectors office is being moved up front and the sheriff’s offices will go in the back. Stroupe said the tax collectors needed more space to keep customer service moving at a faster pace.

• work on creating office space and courtroom space for youth court to move to the Old Reynolds Funeral Home on South Market Street.

Stroupe said sheet rock will have to be taken out by county employees, then the county can contract the work. The floor plan is laid out for the offices, he said.

• getting an address for the Medic Station #1 that is being built. Stroupe said the design of the station is to be determined, whether it will be constructed of metal or wood.

Terry said he wants to get the station built since it has been on the drawing table for two years.

“I want to get it moving,” he said.

Richard and Beverly Jones appeared before the board to get property, that was sold by error in the 2023 tax sale, corrected. They had applied for Homestead exemption in January.

Beverly Jones said they have not received their Homestead.

They said, in contact with tax assessor Barbara Belfoure Sept. 3, they learned their taxes had been sold in the tax sale.

Jones said they have never been late paying their taxes.

“We were stunned. We’ve been here over 20 years and I have never been late on taxes. Not once,” she said.

Jones asked for the penalty and fees be taken off their tax bill and the board approved the measure.