Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Roads topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oktibbeha County residents urge supervisors to fix dusty, deteriorating roads ahead of school year
Summary
Residents told the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors that unpaved roads and dust are making people sick, creating safety risks for buses and drivers and asked for dust control and repairs on Rock Hill Road, Clifford Lane, Kelly Road and others. Supervisors acknowledged the comments and asked staff to follow up.
Residents raised concerns about road conditions and dust during the public-comment period at a July recess meeting of the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors, saying problems on Rock Hill Road, Clifford Lane, Kelly Road and other local routes are harming health and creating safety risks as school buses resume service.
Multiple speakers asked the board to act. Theresa Rice said school buses will soon return and the dust that settles on homes and inside rooms is making people sick. “People's getting sicker and sick over there with all the dust,” Rice said, naming Rock Hill Road and Clifford Lane. Brenda Kelly and other residents echoed the request for dust control and for the county to follow through on previously promised work.
The comments highlighted three recurring concerns: dust control on unpaved stretches used by school buses and neighborhood traffic, potholes and base failures on short neighborhood streets, and roadside vegetation that forces drivers to swerve. Stanley Higgins asked when a full road replacement would happen on Murdoch Lane and said overhanging tree branches near the traveled lane are creating hazards.
Supervisors repeatedly acknowledged the comments on the record and directed staff to log the issues for follow-up. On several occasions the board approved motions “to acknowledge” public commenters and to refer their complaints to the road department for inspection and scheduling. County staff said they will review the sites and provide phone contact information to concerned residents for follow-up.
Why it matters: Residents said the problems are time-sensitive because school buses will resume routes and because dust was blamed for respiratory problems inside homes. Several speakers framed the issue as both a public-safety and public-health concern, asking the board to prioritize short-term dust suppression and longer-term pavement work.
What the board said and will do: Supervisors repeatedly directed county road staff to inspect named locations and gather cost estimates. In several instances the board moved to add neighborhood pavement or maintenance projects to the county’s road plan or to advertise bids; supervisors also discussed countywide scheduling to balance district work. No final construction contract for the specific citizen requests was approved during the public-comment period; staff were asked to report back with site-specific recommendations and cost estimates.
Community details and next steps: Speakers named Rock Hill Road, Clifford Lane, Kelly Road, Sunset/Clear Road and Murdoch Lane. County staff said they would add dust-control treatments where weather permits and will provide residents with contact numbers to track planned work. The board asked the road manager to include these locations in the four-year road plan and to provide a timeline to supervisors.
Ending: The board closed the public-comment portion and proceeded to routine business. Residents were told the board had recorded their concerns and staff would follow up with on-site inspections and scheduling information.
