State Rep. Charles Young Jr., D-Meridian, whose district includes Lauderdale County, discussed funding difficulties for Multi-County Community Service Agency during Monday’s EMBDC Council of Governments meeting at The Checker Board.

Multi-County Community Service Agency assists citizens in need find necessary services to live. The agency serves a nine-county area, which includes Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, Smith and Wayne. Much of its funds are derived from donations.

“Multi-County Community Service Agency has been in existence since the mid-1960s. This weekend in the Legislature, a bill was presented to local and private committees for Multi-County to be able to receive contributions from each individual county in one of nine service areas. Lauderdale and Kemper counties approved L&P legislation for assistance to continue. Neshoba County withdrew its application, and Clarke and Newton counties were defeated on the floor,” Young said. “Scott County has a pending L&P Bill.”

Young said state Rep. William Shirley, whose District 84 includes Clarke, Jasper, Lauderdale and Newton counties, didn’t support the bill.

“The Rep. from Clarke County objected to the legislation and the bill was subsequently defeated,” Young said. “MCCSA provides in excess of $300,000 in assistance to persons in Clarke and Newton counties.”

A call to Shirley’s offioe Monday afternoon seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors President Josh Todd said recently hired PPM Consultants Engineer Trey Hess is ready to begin studies of the Village Fair Mall site for a possible relocation of the courthouse.

“Trey Hess will look at the study independently that Andy Weiner recently did to see if it is a brownfield site or not,” Todd said. “We will start having meetings for purchase of a property or to see where we’re going.” 

Weiner is president of Houston-based RockStep Capital, which last year purchased Bonita Lakes Mall and Bonita Lakes Crossing.

Visit Meridian Executive Director Dede Mogollon said it’s time of the year when the city is alive with activity. For more information, she recommended visiting meridiancommunitycalandar.com. A Moe Bandy Homecoming concert is scheduled at 8 p.m. April 8 at the Temple Theatre. The concert is a fundraiser for the theater.

Assistant Tax Assessor Whitney Hodges said Saturday, April 1 is the final Saturday for citizens to file for Homestead Exemption. April 1 is also the final deadline to file. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to noon.

Meridian Public School District representative Elizabeth McDonald said a parade is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday to honor the Meridian boys basketball team, which won the 6A state championship in Jackson. Details on the route of the parade is upcoming.