WALTHALL — The Board of Supervisors will be taking bids at the end of the month for the purchase of the county-owned “Doss Building” in Eupora.
Supervisors voted unanimously Sept. 3 to sell the building located at 2980 E. Roane Ave. upon a motion by Paul Crowley (District 4) and second by Randy Rico (District 3). The motion authorized and directed the board clerk to advertise the building for sale to the highest bidder. Bids will be opened at 9 a.m. Sept. 30.
On Monday, the board made a finding that the building is no longer being used for county purposes.
The building was home to Doss Butane before being purchased by the county in August 2006. It was subsequently used for election-related purposes, storage and (on a temporary basis) county board meetings after the historic courthouse burned in 2013. County voting machines that were once housed there are now being stored in the computer server room at the new courthouse in Walthall. County election commissioners had also been meeting there but now meet in a designated office on the second floor of the courthouse.
The state Department of Archives and History’s board of trustees declared the building a Mississippi Landmark in October 2011. MDAH later rewarded the county a grant to restore the building, which included reroofing.
Landmark buildings are protected from alteration or destruction under Mississippi’s Antiquities Law. Changes can be made but they must be made in a manner that preserves the historic quality of the building.
Other Meetings
The Board of Supervisors handled these matters at other meetings from Aug. 7 through Monday:
Aug. 7
On Aug. 7, minutes show the board voted to allow the District 5 road crew to go upon the property of the Rev. Sammy Brown where a house burned. The foundation was being demolished and Brown offered this material to the county to be used as riprap if the county would remove the material.
Aug. 15
On Aug. 15, the board voted to hire Lauren Rushing as deputy Justice Court clerk and to pay her an annual salary of $21,000 plus benefits, and insurance at the end of 60 days. She will be evaluated at the end of six months. Her hiring was made retroactive to Aug. 12.
Aug 19
On Aug. 19, the board approved a motion under the heading “Check for Interest on Courthouse Payment.”
The board voted to note on the record that First Commercial Bank of Jackson was cashing in a CD that matured that day and was applying the proceeds to a loan at that bank in compliance with the loan agreement.
The motion also instructed the clerk to issue the check to the bank that day, which is for the remaining interest. This is payment No. 2 of five payments, record show.
This action was in regard to the lease-purchase of the new courthouse. First Commercial Bank partnered with the Bank of Kilmichael to finance the courthouse project though a loan to the Golden Triangle Public Buildings Leasing Corp. to provide funds for the county's acquisition of the project.
Other action taken Aug. 19:
• voted to enter into a contract with Mississippi Delta Shows for July 16-19 for the next carnival in Webster County.
• voted to enter into a contract with Data Computer Management Systems for FY 2019-20 in the amount of $1,730 a month, and for 12 contract days at a rate of $200 a day.
• voted to enter into two guaranteed maintenance agreements with Infoware Inc. for the maintenance of recording devices in each courtroom.
Aug. 30
On Aug. 30, minutes show the board accept a quote from Watson Landscape and Design to place Bermuda sod in areas around the courthouse. Its quote of $6,825 was the lowest quote received.
Phillip Lewis addressed the board about cell phone boosters for the building, according to the minutes.
Sept. 3
Julia B. Welch of Oxford, partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, introduced herself to the board on Sept. 3. She distributed fact sheets about the 2020 Census.
Welch said this census will be first one that can be completed online, or one can call a toll-free number or complete a printed questionnaire. April 1 is Census Day.
She said local people will be needed to fill part-time jobs as canvassers and enumerators, and that communities are encouraged to establish Complete Count Committees.
Additionally on Sept. 3, the board approved motions to:
• hire Jan Butler as special prosecutor to prosecute the Justice Court cases of State vs. Matt Fulgham and State vs. Robert Baker, and pay him at the rate of $200 a day. County Prosecutor Henry Ross has recused himself from the cases, according to the discussion.
• hire two part-time deputies Vandy Smith and Brandon Chaille, effective that day. Eudy Morris (District 1) recused himself from the discussion and vote on the matter because Smith is his grandson.
• hire Peyton Copley and Kali Morgan as part-time 911 dispatchers, and remove Carson Gilliland and Tina Mitchell as part-time dispatchers, all effective immediately.
• recognize the designation of a school bus turnaround on Page Road in District 4 and maintain it for the remainder of the school year.
Tax Assessor-Collector Barbara Gore addressed the board about the need to buy more computers. She said this is necessary because of the state’s auto tag and title system implemented two years ago known as MARVIN – Mississippi Automated Registration Vehicle Information Network.
Monday
In addition to adopting the county budget and tax levy on Monday, Sept. 9 (see related article), the board noted on the record that Sheriff Andy McCants had terminated the employment of Kendall Gibson as a full-time dispatcher/jailer and promoted Virginia Mays from part-time to full-time dispatcher, both effective Sept. 5.
After approving that motion, the board went into executive session to discuss personnel with McCants. Supervisors came back into open session five minutes later without taking any action.
Before recessing until 8:30 a.m. Sept. 16, the board also voted to apply to the Mississippi Department of Revenue for certification to expend the 1-mill levy for reappraisal compliance.
Also, the committee planning the open house for the new courthouse has announced that its official grand opening will be Oct. 6 from 2 p.m. until.
