NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Adams County Courthouse’s leaky roof prompted a judge to order county supervisors to pay the costs of moving her judicial office elsewhere.
Adams County Circuit Judge Debra Blackwell last month ordered them to pay the $400-a-month rent for space at a lawyer’s office across the street from the courthouse, said county board attorney Scott Slover. Maintenance workers have been doing piecemeal roof repairs to curb the rain dribble, but it continues unabated into the courthouse.
They “are trying to do something to fix it….It’s not being ignored,” said county Supervisor David Carter.
Adams County supervisors have questioned the propriety of Blackwell’s October court order making them pay the office rent expenses, but they’re not challenging her decision.
They are seeking funds to reroof the 19th century-built courthouse. A grant is being sought from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, which administers the state Community Heritage Preservation Grant program. It’s funded by the state Legislature to help preserve or restore local courthouses, schools and other official Mississippi landmarks.
A Mississippi landmark, the Adams County Courthouse was built around 1820 and extensively remodeled in the 1920s, according to MDAH.
The state Archives and History board will decide in December how the historic preservation funds will be divvied out throughout the state.
Natchez’ City Hall is also suffering roof leaks for which the city Board of Aldermen is seeking funds from MDAH. Located next to the county courthouse, City Hall was built in 1924 and is also a state-designated Mississippi landmark.
Counties, cities and other applicants throughout Mississippi had a September deadline to submit requests for the historic preservation funds. A local cash match of at least 20 percent is required.
The Adams County Board of Supervisors discussed the courthouse’s leaky-roof problems at their Monday meeting.
The board on Monday also joined Natchez-Adams County Recreation Commission leaders in formally accepting a $5,000 donation from Planet Fitness, which recently opened an exercise center in Natchez.
The Recreation Commission operates the public swimming pool, ballfields and parks in Natchez and Adams County. Planet Fitness’ donation comes as the city-county recreation program’s finances and management are in disarray. Questions have arisen about how money the commission gets from the county and city is being handled.
The Board of Supervisors decided earlier this month to hire accountants to audit the commission’s finances.
The nine-seat Recreation Commission – appointed by city aldermen and county supervisors – has struggled in recent months to function, according to supervisors. The commission – with at least three vacancies from recent resignations – has failed on some occasions to have enough members to officially meet and has not adequately accounted for funds received from Natchez and Adams County.
The $5,000 Planet Fitness donation is from United PF Partners, the franchise group that has Planet Fitness clubs in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.
The YMCA was managing Natchez-Adams County’s recreation programs, but the contract with the suburban Jackson-based organization expired in March in a cloud of uncertainty.