During their regular monthly meeting Monday, October 5, the Supervisors voted unanimously to continue the mask mandate in the Jones County Courthouse and other public facilities in Jones County. The Supervisors also voted to keep all community centers closed to the public. However, the community centers used for voting precincts will open for the November election. The supervisors will revisit the issue at their first meeting after the election.
In other unfinished business, CAO and Board Attorney Danielle Ashley gave an update on the request from Judge Dal Williamson to remove two Magnolia trees from the West and South sides of the building. Ashley said she received communication from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. An arborist from the Mississippi State Extension Service will provide a report on the trees’ health and vitality. The MDAH will use that information to make their analysis in the removal of the trees.
The board acknowledged receipt of $1,021,995 from the CARES ACT.
Ashley read the Jones County Board of Supervisor’s proclamation declaring the month of October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Jones County. Domestic Abuse Family Shelter Executive Director Rebecca Stewart and Jones County Sheriff’s Department Victims Advocate Priscilla Pitts spoke of the importance of domestic violence awareness and thanked the board for their continued support.
Former Laurel Mayor Susan Vincent and Diane Owens Mullins addressed the board on the Laurel Courthouse Beautification Project. Vincent, who is a member of the Courthouse Committee, said the committee toured both courthouses at the beginning of the present Ellisville Courthouse Project.
“There are a lot of things on the inside that would make it more attractive for the community,” noted Vincent.
She introduced Mullins, who is an interior designer, and mentioned several projects that the two have worked on together over the years, including the Laurel Police Department, City Hall, Lee’s Coffee Shop, and the United Way Building.
“Mayor Vincent and I walked through the courthouse (Laurel Courthouse) a couple of weeks ago,” said Mullins. “It’s important that you project a sense of professionalism, and the building is maintained and current. This (courthouse building) is a Mississippi landmark and is dedicated as such.”
Mullins said she would work with the MDAH and its technical services to keep the improvements historically correct.
“A hundred-year-old building, you want to keep it consistent and accurate to its historic integrity,” stated Mullins.
Some of the things that Mullins saw that might need to be worked on in the historic building included painting, flooring, and bringing the restrooms up to handicap accessible compliant.
She said that she has worked with local architect David Henderson with the renovation of the Clark County Courthouse and the Green County Courthouse.
The supervisors voted to have Vincent and Mullins perform a more detailed report of what they see needs improved in both courthouse and the cost associated with the improvements.
Michael McKinnon, an architect working on the Ellisville Courthouse Project, explained the request for the extension of Phase II of the project. He said that construction costs right now is higher than it was four months ago. By delaying the project until construction costs decrease, it would help stretch the grant money and allow for more work to be done. He said the MDAH recommended applying for the extension.
In other business, the supervisors approved the purchase of a Mini-Excavator for Beat 3. After receiving three quotes for a new 2020 Ford F-150 Truck for the Garbage Department, the supervisors approved the truck’s purchase from Woolwine Ford, which had the lowest quote.
The supervisor approved the purchase of needed audiovisual courtroom equipment for the Chancery Court. The county will be reimbursed for the purchase of the upgrades with available funds secured for the courts by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Rev. Jerry James addressed the board and asked them to support the MLK activities as they have done in the past. The supervisors voted to purchase individual ads to support them.
The supervisors went into executive session to hear from the EDA about a new business interested in locating in Jones County, but no action was taken.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 19, at 9:30 a.m. at the Laurel Courthouse. Each meeting of the Board of Supervisors on even-numbered months and all third Monday meetings are held at the Laurel Courthouse. The first meeting on odd-numbered months is held at the Ellisville Courthouse.