Columbia Alderman-at-large Edward Hough approached the Marion County Board of Supervisors Monday to talk as a private citizen about a proposed youth sportsplex.
Hough said he wanted to talk to the new board about their thoughts on using part of the Marion County BusinessPlex (former Columbia Training School property) for the sportsplex. Hough had spoken to county leaders about the issue last year, but two new supervisors took office in January following the countywide elections.
Board Attorney Drew Foxworth advised the new supervisors there were some hurdles about using the land, including a need to go before the Legislature to change it from industrial use. Since closing the training school, the state has been deeded back parts of the property piecemeal to the county, but the deeds stipulate the land be used for industry.
“I don’t think the board of supervisors needs to do anything anytime soon," Beat 1 Supervisor Blue Green said. "As you know we are trying to get it back and if we go there (state legislature) and ask for the change for something they gave us, they are liable not to give us the rest.”
Green also said he felt if the board does do anything, the complex should not be along the road frontage.
Hough said he wasn’t looking at the road frontage either and asked Green if he would be willing to ride out together and look at it. Green said he would.
City voters passed a referendum last year levying a 3% tax on hotels and restaurants that helps fund parks and tourism promotions, including a youth sports complex. Hough has been a public proponent of doing it at the BusinessPlex, saying that it has the most room and would be best based on his discussions with people who play travel baseball. Other city officials have leaned toward city-owned property on R.A. Johnson Drive. The decision about where to put it remains pending by the Board of Aldermen.
Also Monday, Circuit Clerk Janette Nolan requested payment of $23,345 for poll workers for the presidential primaries held March 10.
Nolan also addressed the board about the 2020 census. The kick-off is set for April 8.
“We stand to lose a significant amount of money. You start adding up $2,200 to $2,700 per person over 10 years that is a lot of money not to come in to the county,” Nolan said.
She said she believed participation during the last census was at little more than 50%. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census every 10 years, and every resident is required by law to participate.
One of the biggest issues regarding the census is people have a belief the information they provide will be used against them when it comes for any governmental funding they receive, but Nolan said there are no risks to the people by completing the census.
Completion of the census determines how much funding Marion County will receive in many areas. It also determines how many seats in Congress Mississippi will have. Mississippi is expected to stay at four congressional districts after the 2020 census. n
Also, Jeff Dungan, county engineer, advised Rankin Road, New Hope Road and Robert Baggert Road needed signs.
Bids were opened for the county wide paving project. The bids include:
• Warren & Warren Asphalt Paving Inc. - $485,096
• Bush Construction Company, Inc. - $549,087.
• Dunn Roadbuilders LLC - $665,934
• T. L. Wallace Construction Inc. - $728,022
The board took the bids under advisement.
Bids were also received for the demolition of the former gym at the BusinessPlex. Bids were:
• Watson Dozier - $9,300 with $0 for the salvage materials.
• R & C Services LLC - $21,422 with $2,003 for the salvage materials
• Ace Concrete Constructors Inc. - $27,142 with $0 for the salvage materials
• MNL Enterprises, LLC - $30,650 with $0 for the salvage materials
• CLC Services Ltd. - $33,000 with $40 per ton for the salvage materials
• Beacon Construction LLC - $39,975 with $0 for the salvage materials
• Doyle Miller Excavation Inc. - $45,000 with $1 for the salvage materials
The board took the bids under advisement.
Approval was received to finance an emulsion tank through BancorpSouth at a rate of 3.19% for five years for $62,833. The payments will be made quarterly in the amount of $3,411.34.
Insurance representative Eddie Ray Breakfield reported to the board that the Columbia-Marion County Public Library is hoping to be ready for bids by the first of April.
The board also received bids for the county health insurance plan.
