Several county residents used the Jan. 13 citizens’ comment period to press the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors for faster repairs of unpaved roads and for dust control; the board responded by confirming plans to test a dust-suppression product on Clifford Lane and by approving a contract to clean an illegal Rock Hill dump site.

Mary Kelly, Theresa Rice, Barbara Hill and Brenda Kelly urged the board to repair and resurface several dirt roads, including Clifford Lane and Rock Hill Road, describing long-standing potholes and dust that they said affect travel and health. Road Manager Victor Collins told the board the county has placed Clifford Lane high on a list for a pilot treatment — a product recommended by staff that is temperature dependent and expected to be used in late spring when conditions are warmer.

Multiple speakers described a separate problem at a TVA easement area in Rock Hill that had become an illegal dumping site after the county years earlier placed a dumpster there to remove a derelict mobile home. A local resident and county staff reported that private trucks had been observed dumping construction debris and household waste; the county’s in-house estimate to clear the site was presented as “about $5,000,” and a private contractor provided a similar bid.

The board voted unanimously to contract for an initial cleanup of the Rock Hill site and to work with the property owner and Tennessee Valley Authority easement holders to secure the area against further dumping. Supervisors said the county will do the initial contracted cleanup but intends to create an arrangement so the county is not repeatedly responsible for future private dumping.

Road Manager Collins reported on recent emergency work to stabilize a bridge that had significant asphalt and structural loss; he said crews closed the span, performed temporary repairs and plan to finish the second side during spring break when school traffic is lighter.

Supervisors also authorized several smaller operational actions during the meeting, including permission to remove a dead tree on Lisa Lane, to install covered access to private properties (coves) that allow vehicular access to private developments and cemetery projects, and to order replacement road signage and speed-table signs for traffic-calming where requested by residents.

Board members asked staff to keep residents informed about scheduling and pilot testing, and to report back if the pilot dust-control product proves effective so the board can consider wider use.