STARKVILLE — The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors could soon approve a request for proposals to hire an architect to renovate the county courthouse.
A motion will be voted on at the supervisor’s Monday morning meeting.
County Administrator Don Posey said the 48-year-old courthouse is receiving the renovation through a $285,000 grant. Some plans have been laid out, but according to state law, because the renovation costs more than $100,000, an architect must be hired to oversee the project.
“We are supposed to ignore their charge, and hire them based on their experience with similar projects,” Posey said. “They usually take about five-to-seven percent.”
The current plans focus on renovating file rooms where many of the county’s records are kept, but the main courtroom will also get some “much-needed” attention.
Supervisors will also hear a request from Luther Hunter for an increase in pay for justice court bailiffs. Salaries for bailiffs are set by state statute, Posey said, but added that this is not the first time the supervisors have heard such a request.
In other business, a resolution will be brought before the board approving execution of a lease for 15 new squad cars for the sheriff’s department.
Monday’s meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the county courthouse.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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