Oktibbeha County supervisors are expected to hear a private proposal for a resident to utilize the county’s old drug court facility, but an outright sale or long-term lease is doubtful as officials have eyed using the building to help ease governmental capacity needs.
Few details were available on the proposal Friday as government officials were given the day off by Gov. Phil Bryant, but the county’s agenda shows a line item for the discussion on the building, located at 100 Felix Long Drive in Starkville, at the board’s 9 a.m. Monday meeting at the county courthouse.
County Administrator Emily Garrard confirmed there is no formal offer on the table for the building, and board President Orlando Trainer said he and other supervisors will hear the proposal’s details for the first time Monday.
Information on Monday’s proposal was not present in supervisors’ meeting packets, board Vice President John Montgomery confirmed Friday.
Supervisors previously granted a request last year to Ava Moore, a local community organizer, allowing participants of the Oktibbeha County barn quilt trail program to construct their crafts in the facility.
Although Moore, 65, died in late November, officials said the program continues to use the building, while the county also utilizes it primarily for storage.
Growing space concerns could keep supervisors from accepting a sale or long-term lease for the building. Supervisors have routinely said they would like to find new homes or space for E-911 services and the board’s administrators.
Officials still also have to work out agreements — utility payments and possible facilities – in support of the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, which will be created once Oktibbeha County School District and Starkville School District merge in July.
The county is currently pursuing federal grants to construct an emergency storm shelter on Industrial Park Road near Rackley Oil. Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Britt previously hinted that additional grant funding could become available to finance a new E-911 home at the site.
In other business, supervisors are scheduled to choose a board president and vice president for the calendar year. Montgomery said he wants to continue serving in his capacity, and it is likely Trainer, the board’s longest-serving member, will hold on to his seat.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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