Harrison County authorizes administrator to commit to Corps letter as funding options for Sand Beach renourishment are weighed

Harrison County supervisors on Monday authorized the county administrator to sign a commitment letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the county refines how it will pay the local match for a planned Sand Beach renourishment project.

County leaders heard staff say the federal-state split on the Corps-backed project would be about 65% federal and 35% local, and that the county share is roughly $17 million to $19 million under current estimates. County Administrator Robert told the board he is holding weekly calls with Corps staff and that federal funding is at risk unless the county demonstrates a viable source for the local match.

The motion before the board was to authorize the administrator to sign the Corps financial-commitment paperwork so the Corps can proceed; board members also directed staff to come back next month with concrete bond scenarios and cost estimates. The board approved that motion by voice…