After weeks of haggling over whom it should hire as a consultant to study what can be done about renovating or building a new Lauderdale County Courthouse, supervisors have selected Eupora architect Belinda Stewart.

    District 2 Supervisor Wayman Newell made the motion to select Stewart based on her experience. The motion passed 3-2 with District 1 Supervisor Jonathan Wells and Josh Todd of District 3 voting against the proposal.

    “She had done a study several years ago on county buildings,” Newell said. I thought with her leading it up it wouldn’t take as long as somebody coming in new.”

    Architects also considered included Meridian’s LPK Architects and a joint venture proposed by Jerry Hobgood and Mitchell Marshall.

    “We had two others from Lauderdale County that were qualified,” Newell said. “I just think (Stewart) is the one we need to go forward with.”

    Board President Joe Norwood said Stewart pretty much knows what the supervisors are looking for.

    “We have been working with Belinda Stewart for the past few months. It would be starting all over not going with her,” Norwood said. “She had done the feasibility study and she has a proven track record, This is a study to do needs assessment about the pros and cons, what it’s going to cost us and how much space we need and where that space will be.”

    Supervisors had tabled hiring an architect for weeks. Stewart’s feasibility study will cost about $85,000.

    Wells said his objection to hiring Stewart was simple.

“When you have people local and qualified, I think you need to go local.” Wells said.

    Possible sites for a new courthouse being considered include the former Village Fair Mall, the former Sears building, the former Kate Griffin Junior High School and the upper floors of the old federal courthouse, which is now the post office.

    Another possibility is leaving the courthouse as is and adding on. Environmental issues need to be addressed at some possible sites.

    “We will determine what we want to do as we move forward with this,” Norwood said.

    District 5 Supervisor Kyle Rutledge said Stewart was a good choice.

    “It was a tough decision,” he said. “In my mind, what stood out for me is that her specialty is courthouses. She knows courthouses.”