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Supervisors pave way
for KC to 72 Road
Published Wednesday, July 8
By Brant Sappington
Staff Writer
The long-awaited Kimberly-Clark access road moved another step closer to reality Tuesday as Alcorn County supervisors voted to seek a loan for the remainder of the county’s share of the project.
Supervisors voted unanimously to advertise for bids on an $800,000 loan which they said should cover the remaining funds needed to get the project off the ground.
Board President Gary Ross said the county needs to contribute an additional $720,403 to the project to build a road connecting the Kimberly-Clark facilities on Kendrick Road with U.S. Highway 72. Ross noted three properties needed for construction of the project remain in eminent domain litigation. Board members agreed the total loan amount should provide the money needed to purchase these properties once court proceedings conclude.
The project is being funded through a joint effort of the county and the Mississippi Development Authority. MDA is contributing $11,250,000 to the project which is expected to cost approximately $13 million. Second District Supervisor Jeff Patterson asked if the MDA will contribute its full amount if the bids come in below previous estimates. Board attorney Robert Krohn said MDA is required to contribute its share and the county’s money will be used to make up the difference once the final cost is determined.
The road project has been in the works for many years. Current board members have repeatedly stated their determination to see the project completed, describing it as a key economic development effort.
In other news:
- Supervisors also learned of a brief delay in the schedule for advertising for bids for the proposed county jail and justice center to be built on Harper Road. Architect Michael LeBlanc had previously expected to present final plans for the facility at Tuesday’s meeting but submitted a letter to the board indicating plans for Corinth/Alcorn County E-911 center included in the complex are taking slightly longer to complete because of the need to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements for resistance to wind damage.
LeBlanc said he will meet with the board on July 21 and expects to be ready to advertise for bids at that time. The proposed complex will serve as a Mississippi Department of Corrections regional jail, as well as housing a new county/city jail and offices for the sheriff’s department, E 911, county emergency management agency, Corinth Police Department, county justice court and Corinth municipal court. Construction will be funded through a bond issue to be paid for through funds generated by the county’s contract with MDOC for housing prisoners and a lease agreement with the City of Corinth.
- The board also voted Tuesday to approve an inter-local agreement between the county and Tippah County allowing Tippah to house Alcorn County prisoners at their jail when additional space is needed.
Sheriff Charles Rinehart said the agreement formalizes a previous verbal agreement between the counties. Alcorn County will pay Tippah $25 per day for each inmate housed and remain responsible for inmate transportation and medical costs.
- Planning for the new fiscal year also began in earnest Tuesday as supervisors spent much of Tuesday’s marathon session hearing a series of proposals for the county’s employee health insurance plan for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Floyd Insurance Services, LS and Associates, Smith and Associates, and Bottrell Insurance Agency each presented detailed proposals for supervisors to consider outlining numerous coverage options. Supervisors took all of the proposals under advisement.
- Supervisors also began receiving budget requests for the new fiscal year. Tax Collector Greg Younger submitted his request as did county Emergency Management Coordinator Ricky Gibens, the Northeast Regional
Library and the Northeast Mississippi Business Incubation System. Library director William McMullin’s proposal included a request for an increase of $4,050 (3 percent) he said was needed because of anticipated increases in personnel costs due to the upcoming increase in the minimum wage.
NEMBIS Executive Director Ray McClellan requested $2,000 per month from the county, which would be an increase over last year’s funding of $14,987 for the entire year.
