The new jail site project is nearly ready to begin its next phase in the construction process.

County engineer John McKee informed the Warren County Board of Supervisors during their regular meeting Monday that the pond on the 47-acre site has been lowered to a level where the levee can be breached.

The county engineer has been working with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality on having the pond removed before more site preparation can take place.

“That work is about complete and we’re to the point where we are ready to breach that dam,” McKee told the board. “And open it open so it will no longer hold water.”

McKee said this is a good time of the year to do grading if a layout were available of the proposed jail site.

“Between now and October we need to start working if we can,” McKee said. “If we had a layout, we could be letting the dirt work package.”

Board president Richard George said the supervisors have been in contact with Sheriff Martin Pace, who is developing a layout design of what he would like the new jail to look like.

“The sheriff has been conducting some research as far as a design and once he’s comfortable with the selection we can come up with a layout,” George said.

In other matters

McKee recommended awarding state aid paving projects to APAC-Mississippi, Inc., in the amount of $501,712 for Fisher Ferry Road and $339,877 for Eagle Lake Shore Road. The supervisors will hold the bids until paving is allowed in both areas, which are currently being impacted by flooding.

The supervisors approved the authorization of a request for proposals for garbage service in Warren County.

The supervisors approved the hiring of Stephanie Everett as the records manager for the county.

The supervisors approved contracting with LT Walker as the new veterans affairs officer for the county.

The supervisors approved the lost/stolen report to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife & Fisheries two game cameras that were stolen from the historic Fort St. Pierre site. Officials had placed the cameras at the site in hopes of catching those responsible for illegal dumping.

The supervisors adjourned until 9 a.m. April 1, when they will meet in their boardroom on the third floor of the Warren County Courthouse.