Washington County approves advertising for road projects, votes to begin Longswit design using county tax funds amid objections

Washington County supervisors voted Dec. 3 to authorize staff to advertise construction bids for several state-aid road projects and approved beginning design work on Longswit Road using county tax dollars despite objections from one supervisor and an abstention from another.

County staff presented a multi-item project update to the board, saying geotechnical and environmental reports remain outstanding for several state-aid projects but that once those reports arrive the county will be cleared to advertise for construction. “When we get our approval from state aid, if the board will authorize us to advertise these for construction,” the staff member said, asking for formal authority. The board moved and approved that authorization.

The engineer also briefed supervisors on two ERBR projects (2021 and 2022) that will go to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for approval once geotechnical work is complete, and on design work for a Lake Washington drainage project that the county expects to fund locally if NRCS grants are not available.

On Old England Road the county reported a cost estimate that includes a new bridge over Main Canal. The engineer said the bridge alone would cost “roughly a million,” and that an estimate for paving and associated work to the bridge approaches would bring the total into the millions; the road-only portion was described as about $3 million. These figures were presented as estimates and will be refined during design and final bidding.

Supervisors debated Longswit Road (transcript uses “Longswit”/“Longswitch” variants). A motion was made to begin the project and to use county tax dollars for the work and/or to show tax funds as a local match while applying for state aid to program the project. One supervisor spoke against using the tax dollars because the expenditure would largely benefit a single district; another supervisor pointed out the board had previously used large sums for projects in other districts. During the roll call a supervisor said “nay,” another announced an abstention, and the board chair then directed staff to pursue financing options and to program the project with state aid if possible. The motion to begin design and display tax funds as the local source carried.

County staff also reported on an animal shelter design. Engineers said designs will be finalized once the board provides the expected capacity (number of dogs and cats), and recommended coordinating with county budgeting staff and local stakeholders; the engineer noted prior conceptual plans exist and staff will incorporate requested features such as spay/neuter and microchip rooms.

The Luther Alexander Building was flagged as having significant foundation and structural damage. Staff showed photos and described diagonal and horizontal cracking consistent with foundation settlement. Possible remedies offered included underpinning with piles and jacking, or full excavation and new footings; staff did not have a construction estimate at the meeting and said they would return with cost figures. The board instructed staff to barricade compromised areas and to report back with repair options and cost estimates.

What it means: The board’s authorization to advertise several projects keeps those state-aid timelines moving; the Longswit decision starts engineering and funding work locally but drew objections from board members over district allocation of county tax funds. The Luther Alexander Building will require a further funding decision after staff returns with cost estimates.

Sources: County project report and presentations during the Dec. 3 Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting. Direct quotes and technical details come from on-the-record remarks by county staff during the public agenda item on public works and road projects.