County works on construction projects

Although winter weather is upon the area, the Marshall County Board of Supervisors continues to peck away at construction projects.

Simpson Stroupe reported two quotes for an air and heat unit at the Old Youth Court at the old jail, formerly the justice court area, at the January 20 board meeting.

American Heat and Air was the lowest quote at $18,500 and Colston Refrigeration Heating and Air bid $19,500. The board approved American’s quote for a 10-ton Tempstar unit.

Construction of Medic Station #1, located behind the old jail, is moving forward with preparation for pouring of the concrete slab, Stroupe said. The rebar has been set.

Stroupe said all inspections are being done as the work proceeds and he hopes the project can be completed by the end of the year.

Stroupe recommended, and the board approved a motion to sell a 98 Dodge long wheel base pickup stored at the old jail downtown. It will be declared surplus property and sold at auction.

Justin Hall, executive director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority, presented documents for the right-of-way on frontage road around the interchange to the Amplify battery plant site. Marshall County owns the right-of-way, he said. The board of supervisors approved a board order donating the right-of-way contingent on county engineer Larry Britt’s approval.

Zoning director David Johnson asked for board approval to attend an elevation training session January 27 for flood plain management.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn III said there is a person who wants to sell a piece of property at the corner of Laws Hill Road and Highway 4 West.

The property is zoned residential and the owner wanted it rezoned commercial. The residents in the area opposed rezoning, he said.

The owner just wanted to park trucks there, he said.

Rezoning would be by special exception, Zinn said.

Johnson said once the property is zoned commercial it would remain commercial, no matter what.

“He could sell it and go out of business and it would still be commercial zoning,” Johnson said.

Zinn said it was a situation where the owner wanted to put in a service station.

Board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith said the case is before the Mississippi Supreme Court now waiting a decision.

“The service station request was appealed to the state,” she said.

Zinn said the property belonged to Fitch Farms.

Johnson said 10 acres in the area where the Laws Hill Road splits at Highway 4 West is zoned residential and three of four lots have been sold.

“There’s 3.5 acres in that corner,” said District 5 supervisor Ronnie O’Neil Bennett.

Supervisors discussed the need for funds to repair the courthouse floor which has sunk due to problems with the deteriorating floor joists.

County administrator Tim Powell said the board can talk with the legislators and submit a resolution to obtain legislative money. Or, the board can go to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for funding.

“We know it’s not getting any better,” said District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker. “We need a grant from the Department of Archives and History.”

Powell recommended the board apply for a grant and present a resolution to the legislature.

“We don’t know what we’re going to get into when we start tearing it out,” he said.

District 3 supervisor Terry Rodgers commended the fire departments for putting out the fire at the airport caused by a downed small engine aircraft.

“I talked to Adam Stone (Marshall County fire service), and he said it was one of the best cooperative efforts he has ever seen,” Powell said.

Rodgers said a handicapped ramp is needed at the Barton Fire Department. The station is used as a voting precinct.

Zinn suggested that money the state gives to counties for elections could be used to build the ramp.

“The state does give money for elections every year,” Powell said.

“The election is coming up in March,” Rodgers said.

“Regardless, we have to have it,” said Bennett.

Zinn said the board of supervisors had no knowledge of the status of the ICE detention center proposal.

“At this time, it’s just up in the air,” he said.

Chancery clerk Nicole Phelps presented her report which included:

• statements of economic interest of board members that have to be filed.

• request for travel for herself and deputies to attend the annual conference in Ridgeland February 4-6.

• a request for travel for the sheriff and a deputy to the Mississippi Association of Supervisors for mid-winter conference in Flowood.

• a request for travel for Joe Mills and Joseph White were approved to attend training at Northwest Community College.

• a request for approval of compensatory time for four sheriff department employees.

• a request for approval of the claims docket of $883,320.