The Webster Progress-Times

WALTHALL - The sheriff and county leaders have assured some concerned citizens that no definite location has been determined for a proposed new jail, if one is even built.

Etty P. Brown and Linda Perkins addressed the Webster County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 19 about the matter. Four others were also present with them but did not ask any questions; none of them had asked to be placed on the agenda beforehand, according to the discussion.

Brown and Perkins expressed concerns about the possibility of a new jail being built in Eupora Industrial Park No. 2, which is on the west side of Industrial Park Road and the south side of Highway 182 West.

Sheriff Phillip Smith, who was present, said he and board members did plan to meet with state Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps regarding the possibility of constructing a regional jail within the county.

However, Smith pointed out that the Mississippi Department of Corrections would have to approve its location, that no definite location has been decided and that if one is built, if would house nonviolent offenders only.

Board President Larry Crowley and other supervisors explained to the women that Eupora Mayor Tommy Lott was present at a supervisors meeting for another matter when Smith brought up the jail issue. Lott, according to the supervisors, said the city might donate land at the industrial park area for a jail. However, they noted that the Board of Aldermen had not even considered this possibility yet.

Perkins and Brown said they were not against a new jail being built but did not want one near them because of safety concerns, such as in the event of prisoner escapes. When Perkins asked about other possible locations being considered, sites mentioned included the Garan building, property on Highway 82 East off the bypass, Mathiston's industrial park and Walthall.

Crowley stressed that nothing had been decided and that funds may not even be available from the state to build a regional jail here.

"The site has not been decided on," he said, adding that many factors will be taken into consideration. He said the county would try to locate the jail, if built, where it would have as little impact as possible on the public.

Mart Salley (District 2) noted, "It's going to be in somebody's neighborhood."

When Perkins asked if the board could assure them that a jail would not be built in the area they were concerned about, Crowley said the board would have to look at every option but would not rush into anything

FEB 11

At a recessed meeting on Feb. 11, board members and Dock Gabbert of Willis Engineering, county State Aid engineer, met to plan what State Aid projects would be programmed for 2008-11 for the county.

In follow-up action on Feb. 19 and 29, supervisors voted to adopt and enter an order for the four-year plan for State Aid projects as proposed by the engineer's office.

FEB 19

Patricia Mullis of Maben addressed the board on Feb. 19 concerning stray dogs and the possibility of building a county animal control center, and said she already has a list of volunteers.

"I feel it's a need in the community," Mullis said of an animal shelter. "This is obtainable."

Crowley asked her to submit a budget proposal this summer for the board to consider for the next fiscal year. He said the county had nothing budgeted now for animal control.

Also during that meeting, Gabbert addressed the board about various projects, Planner George Crawford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District addressed the board concerning the availability of Community Development Block Grants for the county in 2008, and bookkeeper Johnny Turner discussed 1999 bridge construction bond proceeds.

In other business on that date, the board approved motions to:

€ hire Jamie Lynn McKee and Tabitha McMinn as part-time dispatchers at the sheriff's office effective that day.

€ accept the $106,824 bid from Tri State Truck Center for10-wheel dump trucks with a guaranteed buyback at 48 months of $53,500. The lone bid for the trucks was taken under advisement on Feb. 4.

Supervisors also accepted quotes from BancorpSouth, both at 3.98 percent, to finance the purchase of those trucks and pickup trucks for districts 1, 4 and 5.

€ reimburse board attorney Buchanan Meek Jr. for mileage to Jackson on Feb. 6 for a meeting with Garan's lawyers to resolve the ownership of the Garan property in Eupora.

€ to accept the property from the city of Eupora deeded to the county on Feb. 5 that is to serve as an access road from Hawkeye Glove to Highway 182.

€ repay various interfund loans.

€ adopt a leave policy for 911 employees and allow Terry McCain, 911 coordinator, to attend a seminar in Hernando on March 7.

Supervisors approved a motion stating that as McCain had indicated, the county E911 system will soon have complied with and completed all of Phase I of implementation, the system should proceed immediately into Phase II as soon as the first phase is completed.

Feb. 29

At a recessed meeting Friday, the board voted to:

€ appoint Lois Mitchell to represent the county on the Community Council Board.

€ accept an application from AT&T of Mississippi to construct a utility right-of-way line on Greensboro Road in District 3.

€ remove Savannah Lake Road from the State Aid road system.

€ advertise for the purchase of and obtain quotes for the financing of a pothole patcher.

Gabbert also met with the board.

March 3

During Monday's first monthly meeting, Cynthia Wilson of the Webster County Development Council told supervisors that W.W. Sly Manufacturing in Mathiston is considering a possible expansion and wants to add space to its loading dock.

She asked if the board would consider applying for and making an economic development loan to the company such as that provided Front Line Apparel Group. Crowley noted that the board made FLAG a loan from a Community Development Block Grant and would consider a CDBG-type loan such as that.

In a related matter, Sly Plant Manager Billy Wynne appeared before the board later to inquire if the company would be eligible for a freeport warehouse exemption. Freeport warehouses are exempt from ad valorem taxes on property stored in Mississippi, but destined for shipment outside the state.

Wynne said the products the company ships out are manufactured in Mathiston. Board attorney Buchanan Meek Jr. said his understanding of the applicable state statute was that only products that are in transit are eligible and those manufactured locally are not. Wynne requested a letter stating that the company was not eligible upon confirmation of this.

The board voted to increase McCain's salary as 911 coordinator from $25,000 to $26,000 annually effective March 1 because he is now a certified 911 dispatcher. Also upon McCain's request, supervisors voted to enter into a 911 Phase I agreement service order agreement with Telepak Networks, and into non-disclosure agreements with Telepak and AT&T.

The board recessed until March 17.