[4/2/04]Attorneys for a company trying to acquire the old Vicksburg Chemical Co. site asked the Warren County Board of Supervisors for tax relief as part of efforts to acquire the property off Warrenton and Rifle Range Roads.

Vicksburg Chemical closed and filed for bankruptcy in 2002. Attorneys R. Wilson Montjoy II and Trudy Fisher of Jackson met with supervisors at the board’s weekly informal discussion meeting Thursday.

The plant site and surrounding acreage has been abandoned and is now under the control of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, which has the authority to transfer the property to a new owner.

Montjoy said Harcros Chemicals, which has made a proposal to acquire the land, guarantees a cleanup and to provide 35 to 75 new jobs in the area. But, he said, local back taxes for 2001 and 2002 amounting to $648,412.07 plus 2003 taxes of $95,148.05 are owed.

The total, $779,560.12 plus interest “could make or break any deal,” he said.

Supervisors do not have the authority to directly cancel the debt, but Montjoy said he and Fisher are trying to work out some way to have the tax liens released.

In addition to the support from Warren County and the City of Vicksburg, he said they will need the cooperation and support from MDEQ, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Tax Commission, State Auditor, the attorney general and the Mississippi Legislature.

“I’m willing to do anything I can do to help, except going to jail,” said District 5 Supervisor Richard George.

In other matters discussed:

Chuck Thornton, building and grounds manager, told the board the work on the restoration of the Old Court House Museum-Eva W. Davis Memorial is ahead of schedule and work began Wednesday on the northwest corner of the roof where some old termite damage was found. He said the contractor will proceed, making the roof repairs in sections that can be completed in one day so the building will remain waterproof.

Fire Coordinator Kelly Worthy reported he and Vicksburg Fire Chief Keith Rogers were nearly finished with a draft of a cooperation agreement on fighting fires and should have it to the city’s legal department for review in time for it to be taken up at the next joint meeting of city and county officials in mid-April.