[03/02/02]Improvements to the fire alarm at the Warren County Jail will add $15,000 to the cost of the roofing project under way.

Warren County Supervisors approved the additional expense to the $1.4 million project Monday. It will add fire sensors to a third floor being built on top of part of the jail.

Work has been under way for about six months making repairs to the roof of the part of the jail that dates to 1906 and adding the third floor above the section completed in 1977.

Chuck Thornton, buildings and grounds manager, said all fire alarms must be replaced in the structure.

“The (current) fire alarm system does not have the capacity to handle the additional service that is necessary,” said Richard George, president of the board of supervisors.

The county board approved a $1,165,450 contract with Mayrant and Associates of Jackson in 2001 to build a pitched roof to replace the flat roof over the 25-year-old section and make repairs to the 96-year-old section. The roofs over both parts of the jail have leaked for years and been a source of complaints by county officials and grand juries.

In the past, the old roof has experienced many problems including leaks, wall sweating and problems with rotting wood on the overhangs.

The total cost of the project was increased $200,000 in January after termite damage was discovered under the metal roof on the older section of the jail. The two changes brought the total cost of the project to $1,384,196.

The county had to seek permission from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History because the building was being remodeled on the exterior.

In other matters the county board:

Approved a 10-year tax abatement for International Paper on $11 million in improvements at the plant last year.

Authorized a $25,000 design study for improvements at the Kings Point Ferry under a federal grant.

Heard a request from the Riverfest committee for support for the 15th annual event next month.

Approved the claims docket.

The county board will meet again at 9 a.m. March 18 at the Warren County Courthouse.