Supervisors clash over Oak Ridge property; other county business

Warren County District 2 Supervisor William Banks questioned whether the county should pick up the cost of removing an eyesore owned by the state of Mississippi in this morning’s Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting.

District 1 Supervisor Edward Herring brought up demolishing the long-abandoned store and gas station at 1760 Oak Ridge Road, which reverted to the state for unpaid taxes more than a decade ago. The property sits in the heart of Herring’s district, and he defended the county completing the work with county employees.

Banks protested, saying that it would give every citizen in the county the right to have their property demolished at the county’s expense, and District 4 Supervisor Jeffery Holland pressed the idea that the state should shoulder the cost because the property belongs to the state.

Because of the underground gas tanks on the property, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality would need to be involved regardless of which entity would do the demolition. The board approved moving forward to discuss the issue with the MDEQ.

District 5 Supervisor Kelle Barfield reminded the board that one of the first steps would be to estimate the cost of demolition. Banks voted against allowing an estimate to go forward.

In other county business:

A four-year road and bridge plan was presented by County Engineer Keith O’Keefe, and engineering costs where outlined. The Vicksburg Daily News will provide more information on this in an upcoming story.

The board authorized $7,950 to relocate 250 feet of water line in the Culkin Water District.

The board approved moving the Cherry Street voting precinct to the old Lauderdale Insurance building from the Tree House on Cherry Street.

Board attorney Blake Teller’s invoice for services rendered in the amount of $6,877 was approved for payment.

The board decided to hire a director of building and grounds. The new director should start in two weeks.

Bobbie Bingham Morrow was appointed to fill the District 2 position on the Warren County Election Commission formerly held by Henrietta Spates.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. on the third floor of the Warren County Courthouse. The meeting is open to the public.