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VWSD retracts approval of BOS $100,000 bid on Kings Point Island land
The Vicksburg Warren School District has unapproved the Warren County Board of Supervisors highest bid of $100,000 on a Section 16 tract of land on King’s Point Island.
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VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg Warren School District has unapproved the Warren County Board of Supervisors highest bid of $100,000 on a Section 16 tract of land on King’s Point Island.
At the regular meeting held April 30, the $100,000 bid from the Warren County BOS was the highest of eight bids on the 643.92-acre tract of land. The bid was more than three times the amount of the second-highest bid.
School board attorney Briggs Hopson said the move came after the lease was sent to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office. Although the state office holds not authority to approve or disapprove leases they do have an option to review.
An official with the Secretary of State’s office explained the school district is the day-to-day manager of Section 16 land with the Secretary of State’s office as the supervisory trustee. The office oversees the management and leasing of more than 640,000 acres of 16th section public school trust lands, but doesn’t have the power to disapprove bids.
Hopson said the Secretary of State’s office simply raised questions for the use of the land.
“They opted to not sign off on the hunting and fishing tract of land based on the information. They felt that is wouldn’t fall under the hunting and fishing use and be more recreational use,” said Hobson.
Hopson explained a challenge to the hunting and fishing usage was a licensing issue. Using the example of Clear Creek Golf Course, which is used for recreational purposes, the golfers are essentially leasing the land as they play. With a hunting and fishing license, there are differences.
Warren County Board of Supervisors President Dr. Kelle Barfield explained the BOS made the bid because they wanted to have something more to offer the public in the wake of a court order requiring the county to provide 24-hour service to the land, which would cost tax payers $4K per day.
Dr. Barfield said that she has received no communication from the VWSD Board regarding their rationale, “So I am not in a position to offer an informed comment on the decision. However, the May & Strickland Land Company lawsuit now means that Warren County taxpayers will have to spend millions of dollars annually for 24-hour ferry service to hunting and timber land. We had created plans to make the 16th section land an educational and recreational benefit to students, veterans, and first responders. It’s a pity that those plans have been blocked, but we will continue to work with area nonprofits to determine potential value of the public road to local citizens.”
District 1 Supervisor Edward Herring also said he heard no communication from the school district.
“I have only heard through grapevine that this action was taken and awaiting details from BOS Attorney. Plans were in motion to offer hunting and outdoor experiences to children, young adults with disabilities and the veteran and first responders of this community. All this accomplished with small fees and sponsorships offsetting the lease money invested.”
The school board voted to rebid the property at the June 25 meeting, and will open bids at the meeting set for Thursday, July 30.
