Construction bids for a new sheriff's administration building have exceeded the county's estimated bid by over $1 million.
The Leflore County Board of Supervisors tabled the bids during a meeting Monday.
"We don't know what action we're going to take at this time. The board might accept the bids, reject them or we could re-advertise," said Chancery Clerk Sam Abraham, county administrator.
The county had initially estimated the Leflore County Justice Center would cost $2.6 million. Abraham opened bids Monday from Malouf Construction for $3.6 million and Kosciusko-based Ralph McKnight and Son Construction for $3.7 million.
Architects McElroy Ward & Associates estimated in February that total costs would be $2.26 million for the 15,000-square-foot, one-story office and courtroom building.
In other business, the board tabled approval of the 2004 disallowed homestead-exemption recipients' list.
This names property owners who have applied for homestead exemption, or have homestead exemption and have been disqualified.
Leroy Ware, county tax assessor, said the chancery clerk's office sent out certified letters to these property owners giving them 30 days to lodge a complaint and present proof as to why they should not be disallowed.
That 30-day period has since passed, and no exceptions can be made for the 2004 tax year. "The clock has run out," Ware said.
District 1 Supervisor Phil Wolfe made a motion to table the approval until the next meeting.
"I see some folks here I want to contact to make sure that they got their letter," Wolfe said.
An unrelated homestead list was also tabled until further contact could be made with citizens. This list names property where homeowners have died or moved to another residence.
The board approved an application for a $9,000 Community Emergency Response Team grant from the Mississippi Emergency Management Association. Sherrod Reed said the grant would be used to buy equipment for the Rising Sun and Schlater communities. The money would also be used to train other responders to become instructors, Reed said.
The board entered closed session to discuss an employee of North Central Narcotics Task Force. Board President Robert
Moore said no action was taken, and the matter was referred to the board attorney, Willie Perkins Sr.
