The Winston County Journal

With future federal funds on the line, the Winston County Board of Supervisors approved a flood plain ordinance for the county.

"This is mandated," said Board Attorney Hugh Hathorn. "If not passed, we (the county) lose federal funds."

The new ordinance when it goes into effect applies to all areas in the county in the special flood hazard areas of Winston County. The ordinance requires all persons living in the floodplain to obtain a county permit for building and meet all codes and restrictions outlined in the ordinance. One portion of the code requires all structures to be elevated and built above the100 year flood plain as outlined on flood plain maps. The structures in the floodplain would also require an engineering certification that supports the structure is built above the base flood elevation.

The board in order to comply with the ordinance also appointed Civil Defense director Clarence Kelly as the administrator of the ordinance.

"It is very important for anyone building to check and see it they are in the floodplain," noted Board president Jerry Estes. "We have got to make citizens aware and provide the information on where the floodplain is located."

Hathorn added that at the minimum anyone looking to build a structure in the county should check to see it they are in the floodplain.

Board members also noted that many persons building in the county would be aware of whether or not in the floodplain since banks and mortgage companies check prior to financing any building projects. (Persons may visit the FEMA website to locate the floodplains near their property at www.fema.gov or http://gis1.msc.fema.gov/Website/newstore/viewer.htm).

The ordinance should go into effect in 90 days and has been sent to Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for approval.

In other business, the supervisors:

€ Approved the Airport Board's request to sell four small parcels of land and purchase other parcels in order to come into compliance with Federal Aviation Administration rules as well as unify the borders of the airport property.

€ Approved ending all comp time and paying employees overtime instead except for road crews. Board members and attorney Hathorn noted that it would make record keeping easier to pay over time and not offer comp time.

€ Received information on Dairy Day to be held by the MSU Extension office in front of the courthouse on June 20.

€ Approved the best and lowest bid for a dump truck at around $73,000. The lowest bid was rejected due to not meeting specifications of the bid.

€ Took supply bids under advisement with board members noting the increases in all costs.

€ Approved tax exemption for Taylor Machine Works new equipment. The approval ignited a discussion on the need for careful study of all tax exemptions on industries since it keeps funds out of the county's coffers. Brenda Miles, tax assessor, noted the tax exemptions and the stagnant growth in the county had the assessed valuation trending downward and that would make a millage increase necessary. Miles noted that many other counties were only granting 2 or 5 year exemptions and attaching those exemptions based upon the established industries investment in growth and new jobs. The board agreed to examine future exemptions on a case-by-case basis. The state must also approve the exemption on the over a million dollars of new equipment for Taylor and questions about the state deadline of June 1 also arose. Miles noted that Taylor was one of the top three taxpaying industries in the county and she broached the subject not to pinpoint any industries but to call the board's attention to the matter. Supervisor Parkes noted his concerns that the state legislature would end the inventory tax completely and cut further into the county's budget.

€ Discussed the ongoing work at the Winston County Regional Correctional Facility to place a new building on the grounds for state/county inmates. The building could cost the county about $102,000. Sheriff Randy Thomas noted that the county could earn enough from taking in 20 or more inmates to pay for the expansion in about a year.

€ Approved the purchase of materials to complete repairs and additions to Dean Park.

€ Approved raising the E-911 charge per phone line to state maximum denoting the increased cost for local E-911 services. Landlines at homes would increase to $1 while businesses would increase to $2. Louisville Mayor Daniel "Moe" Yarbrough who requested the increase for the county also requested the board encourage county residents to prominently display 911 addresses.

€ Discussed a possible dog ordinance and the special hearing held Monday, June 2. (See dog ordinance article.)

The next regular supervisor's meeting is set for June 16 at 9 a.m.