Adams County supervisors explore options for sheriff’s office
Published 12:04 am Wednesday, August 27, 2014
NATCHEZ — The Adams County Board of Supervisors has decided to take the week to explore several options for the proposed move of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office’s administration.
Sheriff Chuck Mayfield has previously asked the board to consider finding a location in which all ACSO offices — including those of Natchez-Adams County Metro Narcotics — can be centrally located.
The current sheriff’s office — located with the county jail on State Street — is also riddled with leaks and environmental issues such as mold, Mayfield has said.
The board discussed the matter last week and took it up again Tuesday, in particular a suggestion by Mayfield that the county look into locating approximately 20 sheriff’s office employees to the former Callon building at the corner of Franklin and Wall streets.
Board attorney Scott Slover said the building’s owners wanted $6,000 a month in rent. Mayfield said he had previously been under the impression the price was $4,000 a month.
The supervisors balked at the $6,000 monthly suggestion, and County Administrator Joe Murray said at that rate — which would have the additional costs of insurance and necessary infrastructure upgrades on top of it — the county might as well pay a note on something permanent.
Supervisor Angela Hutchins suggested a second downtown building, owned by James Biglane, which might be usable.
But Supervisor Mike Lazarus said architect Johnny Waycaster is scheduled to present the board with a plan to address the current building’s woes and possibly add on to the State Street location.
The board authorized Slover or a representative to try to negotiate a more acceptable proposed price on either of the buildings suggested.
The members said they would also look for other buildings, but would wait until hearing Waycaster’s presentation before making a decision.