County accepts survey of County Barn parcel, retains surveyor to define Ballard Lane right‑of‑way

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 1 accepted a property survey prepared by James Cook and directed the county to retain the surveyor to determine the length and legal right‑of‑way of Ballard Lane.

County staff presented a plan showing the surveyed parcel at County Barn and Cannon Road and said the survey traced ownership back through early deeds and an MDOT deed that conveyed a triangular access/ drainage parcel back to the county. The board accepted the survey and authorized the surveyor to continue work to resolve gaps and overlaps on the county tax maps and to produce a corrected legal description for the parcel.

County officials said the title and mapping inconsistencies were common where older deeds had been copied across generations and where road alignments (Old Mayhew Road versus Highway 82) shifted. The board directed staff to request utility marking (811) and to provide the filing-ready legal description that the county recorder can use.

The board also accepted a separate motion asking the surveyor to define the Ballard Lane right‑of‑way after property owner concerns were raised. County staff said using an outside surveyor avoided a potential conflict of interest and would create a documented record to resolve owner questions.

Board members moved and seconded the measures and voted unanimously to approve the survey acceptance and the Ballard Lane work order. The county administrator and county clerk were assigned to collect the electronic survey copies and ensure the corrected legal description is filed.