Negotiations between Warren County and Kinder Morgan to renew the company’s lease at the Port of Vicksburg, while still pending, pleased supervisors enough to bless the action pending an agreement.

Warren County Port Commission executive director Wayne Mansfield told supervisors port and company officials have agreed in principle on a seven-year renewal a deal for Kinder Morgan to load and unload bulk cargo at the port. Annual base rent would increase from $135,000 to $235,000, with an additional 8 percent if gross revenue tops $2.255 million. Currently, performance-based payments to the port authority total 8 percent if gross tops $1 million and 15 percent if it tops $1.4 million.

“It would guarantee a minimum amount moving through our port,” Mansfield said.

The request was made in the interest of time as a separate deal is sought to use the port as a transfer point for raw materials headed to the SeverCorr steel mill in Columbus, Mansfield said. Supervisors agreed with a unanimous approval after scant public discussion.

Port officials have monitored talks between a private shipper and Severstal, majority owner of the $880 million plant. In December, the Russia-based steel giant bought out a key minority stakeholder and the shares of three senior executives.

“Timing is critical from a SeverCorr standpoint,” Mansfield said. “They’re wanting to get this locked up and moving forward.”

Reached later, Port Commission chairman Johnny Moss said he expects the commission to ratify the renewal and terms March 17 despite the higher bar set on the revenue goals.

“It gives us a higher base that we can operate with,” Moss said.

No tonnage loads have been reported by Kinder Morgan for three months, according to company updates circulated at recent port board meetings. Updates on its financial condition and industrial recruitment efforts grew out of the company’s last round of lease talks in late 2005, when port officials opted to keep an experienced bulk operator locally despite settling for a lower base rent.

Tonnage in 2007 dropped off about 58 percent from 2006 as the T-dock structure underwent a replacement, yet to be finished. Revenue fell from more than $1.9 million in 2006 to $1.2 million in 2007.

Deadlines to complete the $3.4 million dock replacement and buffering project have extended into the spring, with another meeting between county engineers and construction crews set for this week.

On the agenda

Meeting Monday, the Warren County Board of Supervisors:

Approved $42,365 in addition to the personal property rolls and nine other real estate additions totaling $26,542. Also, valuation adjustments totaling $1,094,982 were made to 173 accounts.

Accepted the recommendation by the E-911 Commission of Business Park Drive, River Region Drive, River Region Circle and River Region Place and Emfinger Drive as new road names. Also, the board approved two address changes on U.S. 80.

Approved payment of $3,000 to the Warren County Parks and Recreation Commission for repairs to the septic system for a

restroom at Clear Creek golf course.

Approved a $5,024 loan from the general fund to the technology grant fund for the sheriff’s office.

Approved a contract with Entergy to attach fiber optic cable from Warren County Courthouse to the building at First North and Clay streets which will house emergency dispatch. Also OK’d was a $105,033.40 payment to Mayrant & Associates for electrical work to the building.

Approved invoices totaling $4,250 to Paul Winfield for legal services.

Approved invoices totaling $51,898.56 to John McKee for engineering services.

Approved a $92,916.85 pay estimate to Lampkin Construction for the 2007 NRCS Erosion Control Project No. 2.

Set a public hearing for 10:30 a.m. April 21 on a petition to abandon an additional 785 feet of Thompson Lake Road.