WOODVILLE &045; Odor and flies from a cattle feedlot in Centreville are offensive and unhealthy to nearby residents, according to a woman who wants the Wilkinson County Board of Supervisors to investigate the situation.

&uot;The flies, the stenchŠIt’s just really ridiculous,&uot; Centreville resident JoAnn Smylie told supervisors at their regular meeting on Monday.

The feedlot, located adjacent to residential and commercial areas along Miss. 24 and Hospital Road on property owned by Centreville resident Joyce Vine, has drawn public criticism before.

In January, about a dozen people who live near the feedlot complained to Centreville aldermen. But since the feedlot is only partially located inside the city limits, Centreville officials advised the group that its complaint would be better lodged at the county level.

&uot;It’s all in Wilkinson County, and the board (of supervisors) does have some sway in Wilkinson County,&uot; Smylie said.

Smylie, who has lived on Hospital Road since 1960, said cattle have long been pastured on the Vine property, but the number of cattle increased dramatically after the feedlot operation started last year.

&uot;These cows are walking on bare earth.

The stench is terrible.

It’s a health problem,&uot; Smylie said.

Supervisors told Smylie they thought her complaint should be addressed by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality or Department of Health. Smylie agreed to contact those agencies, but asked supervisors to also investigate her complaint.

Board Attorney Ron Senko assured Smylie he would research the matter and advise her of any action the county is authorized to take.

On Tuesday, Lew Vine, a Centreville cattleman who operates the feedlot, declined to comment on the matter.

An attempt to reach Joyce Vine on Tuesday was unsuccessful.

In other business, the board:

4Heard from Paul Newman, president of the Jackson-based Mississippi Warranty Network.

Newman offered to help collect the county’s delinquent justice court fines &045; estimated last November at $798,000 &045; on a percentage basis.

Supervisors took Newman’s offer under advisement.

4Approved several petitions for the reduction of property values assessed during the 2002 fiscal year.

The reduced values will result in a net loss of $19,015 in ad valorem tax revenue.

4Voted to accept the low bid of $154,989 from Pace Brothers Enterprises of Columbia to install a box culvert on the Tommy Whitaker Road.