The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors now have a partner to help solve the problems with its deteriorating courthouse, but work won’t begin for at least a few months.

The Board of Supervisors on Monday voted unanimously at its regular meeting to hire Yates Construction as its construction manager, and the next step is choosing the most viable solution.

Monday’s vote authorized a construction manager agreement for “phase-one tasks,” which would include potential renovation of the courthouse, potential construction of an addition to the building and acquisition and/or renovation of other buildings and properties for use as a courthouse or an additional annex. Yates’ fee is not to exceed $60,000 for this agreement.

Services would include assisting in the procurement of architects; assessing the courthouse feasibility study, operations, unknown variables and constraints; and assisting the architect with a “high-level courthouse program,” which would include selecting a location, a budget, phasing and a master schedule.

Concerns such as parking, jail relocation and property redevelopment would also be addressed.

Yates would also give recommendations on the temporary relocation of courthouse staff to locations such as the old federal courthouse and the annex building. Lastly, Yates would provide recommendations for direction with the project.

While the board is still studying the options, District 1 Supervisor Jonathan Wells has said he favors keeping the courthouse operations in the existing building.

“During the process, we’re going to be developing where to put the workers,” Wells said. “We could use the old federal building, annex or do a hybrid of all that. And once we break ground, we can move people into that. I see the original courthouse being one of the last things that gets finished.”

District 2 Supervisor Wayman Newell said this is just a first step, and he wants the public to understand that the project will cost much more than $60,000.

“I think it’s well worth the cost,” Newell said.

County Administrator Chris Lafferty said Yates was the only construction company considered for the project, “because nobody can do what Yates can do.”

This decision comes several months after a feasibility study was presented to the board.

Belinda Stewart, of Belinda Stewart Architects, from Eupora, delivered the 66-page study to the board in December 2016. The study cost about $85,000.

Stewart’s recommendations include the following potential solutions:

• Adding on to the courthouse and renovating the courthouse annex at a price of $37.95 million;

• Not adding on to the existing courthouse but renovating the annex and removing the existing jail at a price of $37.27 million;

• Renovating the courthouse and adding on and selling the annex at a price of $30.9 million. The current jail is not included in the plan;

• Moving all county business to the old Village Fair Mall site at a projected price of $43.65 million;

• Moving all county business to the mall and selling lots around the site for private development at a projected price of $46.75 million.

Not fit for use

Numerous grand jury reports have stated the need to move workers out of the courthouse and address safety issues.

Its latest report states, “The Board of Supervisors need to be making every effort to acquire the finances needed for a new courthouse.”

Existing issues include an antiquated ventilation system, mold problems and insufficient emergency exits.

While many reports have noted the pressing need for upgrades, this report also said courthouse employees need to be relocated to a healthier and safer working environment.

“The conditions of the courthouse are unacceptable for employees and citizens,” the report states.

The report also notes the need for improved safety and security for employees, especially judges. The grand jury recommended that the judges have a private entrance to be inaccessible to inmates.

Last month, Gov. Phil Bryant called the condition of the Lauderdale County Courthouse “concerning” after an impromptu tour of the building.

“You’ve got judges who are trying to hold trials and plaster falling,” Bryant said. “It obviously is in desperate need of repair. The occupancy has certainly outgrown it…People of Lauderdale County need to understand we’re going to have to as a state and as a county support Meridian in their downtown effort. But this courthouse is a symbol to the people that serve and live here in Lauderdale County, and I hope we can find a way to help them.”