County supervisors implement mask policy they admit has no teeth
Lowndes County residents will be required to wear a face mask in public settings through the end of April, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors decided during its regular meeting Monday.
Or will they?
County grapples with over-budget bids for soccer complex walking path
In 2015, work on a 900-foot concrete pathway connecting the Columbus Riverwalk to the Lowndes County Soccer Complex was completed to the tune of $600,000.
It won’t cost nearly that much to extend a new concrete “walking path,” the Riverwalk/Soccer Complex connector, across the soccer complex’s northern section to its terminal point near Corretta Street.
Supes OK immediate raises for 64 of lowest-paid employees
A plan to close pay disparities and bring all Lowndes County employees to at least a $15 per hour pay rate over three years won partial approval during Monday’s board of supervisors meeting.
The board voted 3-1 to provide 50-cent pay raises for 37 employees and 75-cent pay raises for 27 others — all of whom are making less than $15 per hour — effective immediately.
Supes approve stricter procedures for maintaining bus turnarounds
Supervisors on Tuesday approved a resolution setting up clearer guidelines and more oversight for the county maintaining bus turnarounds on private property.
Supervisors approve bids to remove Confederate monument
Lowndes County supervisors approved an approximately $80,000 bid with local companies to complete the first phase of relocating the Confederate monument in front of the courthouse.
Supe proposes $15/hour wage for Lowndes employees
During a discussion about road maintenance at Monday’s Lowndes County supervisors meeting, District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks mentioned disparities in wages between some road department employees.
North Atlantic ends security contract with Lowndes County Justice Court
Lowndes County is looking for full-time security for the Justice Court building after North Atlantic Security ended its contract with the county in January.
Oktibbeha County starts redistricting process
Oktibbeha County supervisors on Monday contracted with the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District for redistricting services, the same group that led that work for the county 10 years ago.
Supes discuss more debt, possible tax increase, for new 5-year road plan
Oktibbeha County supervisors continued grappling Tuesday morning with the prospect of issuing more bonds to cover a new five-year road work plan.
6 companies with total $2.3B investment eyeing Lowndes
The Golden Triangle Development LINK will ask the Lowndes County supervisors Friday for a sewer line extension at the county’s industrial park, in preparation for an automotive company to potentially make its home there, LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins said.
Supes approve extending extra leave policy for COVID-quarantined employees
Lowndes County supervisors took the weekend to explore their options for changing one of the county’s COVID-19 policies, but on Monday opted to accept the recommendation made at Friday’s meeting by Lowndes County Administrator Jay Fisher.
County considering extending its COVID-19 employee leave policy into new year
On Wednesday, Lowndes County supervisors spent most of their last meeting of 2020 talking about how the county will handle employee sick leave related to COVID-19 in 2021.
Oktibbeha supes appoint former water management district director as county representative
Oktibbeha supervisors appointed David Kennard, former executive director of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District, to the state-run agency’s board as an Oktibbeha County representative.
Clay supes respond to county being placed under state-issued mask mandate
For the first time since Sept. 30, Clay County residents outside West Point must wear face masks in public venues, something Clay County supervisors addressed during Thursday’s board meeting.
LCIDA asks supes for $750K annually for three years
Following a unanimous vote, Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority (LCIDA) board members approved Monday morning a draft agreement to ask the county for an annual funding of $750,000 for three years.
Sanders attends supes meeting despite possible exposure to COVID
One member of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors has tested positive for COVID-19. Another, who told The Dispatch he may have been exposed, attended a public meeting in person anyway.
What is LCIDA?
Created under a 1974 state law, Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority (LCIDA) was formed as a Lowndes County subsidiary that oversees economic development efforts.
Oktibbeha supes approve pay raises for 6 road employees
Oktibbeha supervisors approved pay increases for six of the county’s 37 road employees with a 3-1 vote at Monday’s meeting after Road Manager Fred Hal Baggett made the suggestion based on job performances that he said deserved a raise.
Supes remain divided, confused over LCIDA’s annual funding request
Lowndes County Board of Supervisors further delayed actions Monday on an agreement that would set up an annual funding stream toward the county’s Industrial Development Authority (LCIDA), which helps the county recruit business and maintain the Lowndes County Industrial Park near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.
Oktibbeha supervisors bring back mask mandate
Oktibbeha County resumed its requirement for protective face coverings, proven to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at county-owned buildings and social gatherings outside the Starkville city limits after a 3-2 vote from the board of supervisors Monday.