Supervisors: Bude needs to take lead on bridge fix

The Franklin County Board of Supervisors discussed — at length — the replacement of an aging and structurally deficient, one-lane bridge inside Bude’s corporate limits during the panel’s Monday, May 1 public business meeting in Meadville.

Bude municipal representatives had requested help from the county in replacing the structure, which is adjacent to the Franklin County School District’s bus barn and leads into the soon-to-be opening River Ridge Forest Products LLC site.

River Ridge management has expressed concerns — on more than one occasion — about the volume and weight of wood-hauling vehicles that will eventually access the plant site and the stability and safety of the bridge that crosses a nearby drainage ditch.

County engineer Mike McKenzie, along with Bude municipal attorney Mary Katheryn Williamson, has been looking into funding options for the project in conjunction with Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District planner Allen Laird.

McKenzie informed county leaders that, according to Laird, the Mississippi Development Authority might be willing and even anxious to help, but has requested more information.

He pointed out someone — either a representative of the town or the county — needs to take ownership of the project to see it through to reality.

“What it boils down to is, they need somebody to take charge and be the tip of the spear on this thing and take ownership of it,” McKenzie said.

“I think that’s part of the reason that — right now — we’re floundering for answers. Is this a Bude project or is this a Franklin County project? Once that’s answered, then the responsibility for it can become a lot more clear. Right now, it’s almost like it’s a project that Allen Laird is having to push.”

The board agreed that, as Bude is ultimately financially responsible for the bridge, the town should be leading the way.

District 3 Supervisor Mike “Dirt” Hunt and District 4 Supervisor Pat Larkin announced they would plan to attend the next Bude Board of Aldermen meeting — scheduled for Tuesday, May 2 — to discuss the next steps with the town’s leadership.

Other previous discussions related to the bridge at the county level have also centered on subjects ranging from the whereabouts of the existing railroad right-of-way in relation to the structure and the necessary relocation of underground utilities in the area before any work could eventually proceed.

County officials have also previously cited there is another point of entry and exit for the sawmill — where the current access dirt road ties into Gerard Street to the east — that could be utilized until the old bridge is addressed.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the board heard from Chancery Clerk Jill Jordan Gilbert about the Mississippi Department of Archives and History grant for courthouse repairs.

Belinda Stewart Architects, the firm which has been handling matters related to the grant on behalf of the county, sent Gilbert bid proposals for those repairs.

The first was from The Lathan Co., whose bid was $562,107 for repairs, plus another $124,300 for additional work on storm drains and down spouts.

Pike Construction also submitted a bid, which totaled $339,000 for repairs, plus $28,700 for work on the drains and down spouts.

Gilbert said she was going to talk to the architectural firm about rebidding the project, as the state grant received was only $144,388, with the county having to pay a match of $36,097 — and the matching portion is all that is included in the budget for the scope of work.

In other action to come before the panel, supervisors considered the following business matters:

• Accepted Constable Charles Brown’s annual financial report for 2022.

• Approved payment of claims to Walter Beesley in the amount of $332.10 for collecting $1,328.40 in outstanding Justice Court fines during April.

• Gave approval to pay $175 to Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance for a $50,000 bond for Rebecca Brister, a deputy tax collector.

• Received a letter from the U.S. Forest Service inviting anyone who wished to attend to a collaborative meeting at the Franklin County Public Library to discuss the future of the Homochitto National Forest, including restoration goals and other information.

The meeting will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 4.

• Voted unanimously to purchase an Ford F-150 pickup — on state contract — for the Solid Waste Department at a cost of $46,208, contingent on the truck being delivered and paid for before June 30 due to purchasing laws related to election year spending.

• Adopted a supplemental agreement related to a State Aid project on Providence Road to add $21,880 for filter material and fabric stabilization tied to the construction effort.

• Authorized the payment of claims to WGK, the county’s engineering firm of record, for services rendered on addressing a slide on Gloster Road ($4,141.76); bridge work on Oak Grove Road ($10,491.29); and for work on Providence Road ($8,872.50). These expenditures are reimbursable to the county through the Office of State Aid Roads Construction.

The board’s next regular business meeting will be held at 9 a.m., on Monday, May 15.