Courthouse repair a big project

Marshall County has been applying band aids to repair of the courthouse recently but needs to seek funds to pay for more restoration, according to District 5 supervisor Ronnie O’Neil Bennett.

Simpson Stroupe, supervisor of building and grounds, said he has an estimate from one company that will help know the expected cost of repairing the courthouse floor that is sinking in the Chancery Clerk’s office.

The joists supports are crumbling and deteriorating causing the floor to sink several inches in some areas of the building.

“You could drop a million easily,” said Bennett at the October 6 meeting of the board.

County administrator Tim Powell suggested the county apply for grants with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to restore the building.

“That needs to be redone,” said District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker.

“Y’all want to keep this until you know what to do?” Stroupe asked.

“Safety is a concern,” said District 4 supervisor George Zinn III.

Powell suggested getting an architect to evaluate the need before applying for a grant with Archives and History.

Stroupe said the Chancery Clerk’s office could be moved to the zoning building while floor repair is undertaken, like the county administrator’s office moved to the IDA building while the office was being renovated.

“They have to be able to access their records,” Powell said.

Zinn asked if most of the damage is on the first floor while other parts of the building are pretty sound.

Stroupe said there has been water seeping in causing flaking off of the ceiling and walls. He wonders what else is going to be uncovered.

“They don’t know what can of worms will open up when they tear that floor out,” Stroupe aid.

“There’s mold everywhere on third floor,” said chancery clerk Nicole Phelps.

“The law library is full of stuff,” said sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

“The law library is clean as far as mold,” said circuit clerk Monet Autry. “It’s been cleaned out.” Discussion moved to Youth Court and the date the entity can move in to the renovated Old Reynolds Funeral Home on South Market Street.

Powell said the 911 and sheriff’s office lines need to be run to the building.

The lines are maintained by the state.

“We run the line, but they move the digital lines, do their phone lines,” Stroupe said. “The state hooks it up outside.”

Zinn asked about progress on installing the new public address system in the courtroom at the courthouse.

“That’s all IT,” Stroupe said. “It’s been going on so long,” said District 1 supervisor Goston Glover. “The sound in the courtroom?” Zinn asked. “It was supposed to have the tax office phone system done this week,” Powell said. “Sound,” said Zinn. “It’s a PA system. The microphones don’t work. Monitors need to be set up so the jury can see and hear,” Autry said. She said the courthouse currently has a 65 inch TV. She turned over money from her office to purchase the new sound system in April.

“Why don’t we contract it out and get it done?” Zinn asked.

“He said he was going over it next week,” District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker said.

Powell said Judge Kent Smith wanted to look at what other courtrooms were using first.

“To make sure it is the same as other courtrooms,” Autry said. “Could be some paperwork needed.” “I don’t know what the judges decided,” Powell said.

Powell said he is going to check with Archives and History on grants to repair the courthouse floor.