By Cain Madden

The Natchez Democrat

VIDALIA — The Concordia Parish Police Jury has asked for extra time to solve an office space issue that has come up at the courthouse.

Concordia Parish Assessor Jerry Clark has received a grant to update the courthouse’s mapping system, but to accomplish Clark said he is going to need more work space for additional equipment and employees. The problem is not much space is available in the courthouse.

“The space issue has been going on for years, but since we received the grant, I can actually do something for the good of the parish if I get that space,” Clark said in a letter to police jurors.

The assessor said having his office close to clerk of court rather than the sheriff’s office would be beneficial. Clark said he knows the jury has brought up the potential to build some space outside the courthouse in the past, but said he has a less expensive solution.

Clark wants to move the indigent defender — the office next door to the assessor — and allow Clark to operate out of both offices.

“The grant received will allow me to buy a plotter for maps, but I have no room for it,” he said. “The grant would allow me to set up a computer for abstractors, Realtors and homeowners to view the property in question, but I have no room for it. I don’t have enough room for another desk, chair, computer, etc.

“I do understand that you would have to relocate the indigent defender, however, I have no other option that would be most beneficial.”

Indigent defender Derrick Carson said he doesn’t believe that moving is most beneficial for the parish’s court system.

“We represent the majority of the clients, and we are dealing with budgetary complaints in the public defenders office in general,” he said. “I have nowhere else to go to get any money from. We’re on a shoestring budget as is.”

Carson said moving will impact his ability to deal with clients, but would be worse if he had to pay to move.

“The only cutbacks I could make are dealing with office personnel and hiring attorneys,” he said. “That will drastically affect services to the people of this parish.”

At last week’s police jury meeting, juror Willie Dunbar said the courthouse has little unused room.

“Every time someone wants more space, we give it to him,” he said. “We don’t have much space right now.”

Juror Joseph Parker Sr., who serves on the courthouse committee, said jurors haven’t decided on whether to give the assessor the indigent defender’s office space or not.

Parker and other members of the committee asked for more time to explore all the options, and the jury voted unanimously to give it to them.