In 2014, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) hired a firm to develop a comprehensive plan for Oktibbeha county and ten years later the BOS are theoretically having the plan explained in a few public meetings. On February 25, 2025, an estimated 50 residents packed the Belaire Fire Station to have the plan explained. As the presenter rambled on and on about statistical data, a woman in the meeting asked if he could just get to the bottom line. In my opinion, he never did.
The Dispatch published an article about this meeting with a headline about countywide building codes. Unless I fell asleep, there were no specific discussion about what code would be suggested. In my opinion, the attendees where mainly opposed. Supervisor Pattie Little who heavily supports a county building code spoke. She stated without codes the county starts at a negative 50 points on grant request. In 2017 the State of Mississippi passed a building code that would cover counties in Mississippi not covered with their own code. I asked why not use it and was told the BOS “thinks” they opted out. What? So, seven years ago the BOS wanted to start at a -50?
The meeting didn’t seem to be going well so Supervisor Little claimed contractors were building unsafe and poorly insulated structures. She went on to claim some builders were building unsafe apartments where only access between floors were wooden stairs. My engineering degrees raised my “life safety” concerns.
During my investigation of her claims, I couldn’t find any of these issues of contractors building wooden stairs for use as exits for multistory apartment units in the county. Additionally, I contacted several leading institutions and ask them if I wanted a construction loan to build in Oktibbeha County would they just give me money as I progress to completion, or would someone look over my work as construction progressed? All said the work would get inspected and two said they require a registered engineer to stamp a report as to “constructed to plan and specification requirements”.
Well. I wonder what’s going on? I want to be clear, I am not a County Supervisor, but if I was holding public meetings about building codes, I might start by talking about examples of what the code might look like. Also, how they would implement the code enforcement?
Whatever they implement, yes implement because they have already decided to go forward with codes and enforcement. It is in their budget. So, this is just smoke they are blowing to make you think your opinion will be heard and considered.
Just another excuse to justify the tax increases that are coming.
George Sills
Starkville
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 29 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
