[9/16/03] The final order granting Simpson Dura-Vent a 10-year exemption from county taxes was approved Monday by the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

The company, located at the Ceres Research and Industrial Interplex, makes heating vent and chimney pipes. It asked for the exemption in May on $614,109 in improvements made in 2002. At the time, the county board tentatively approved the application pending approval by the Mississippi State Tax Commission.

Monday, Randy Sherard, the board’s attorney, reported the tax commission had approved the exemption that will save the company about $3,664 a year in taxes for the next 10 years. The exemption covers only county taxes. The company will continue to pay school and state taxes.

In other business, the board:

Heard a response from Sheriff Martin Pace to a question from Richard George, board president and District 5 supervisor, regarding the Warren County Jail and people arrested by the Vicksburg Police Department.

Pace told the board the jail houses prisoners arrested by many agencies, including the Vicksburg Police Department, on felony charges once they make their initial appearance in court, a bond is set and the person is bound over to a session of the Warren County grand jury.

“I can’t turn out a felony prisoner to house a city misdemeanor prisoner,” Pace said, adding those are the prisoners the city is ferrying to the regional jail in Issaquena County.

Mayor Laurence Leyens has complained that although city residents pay much of the cost of the county jail, they still pay daily subsidies for each city prisoner kept in the Grove Street facility and, since space has not been available, may pay Issaquena about $250,000 in the coming year for jail space.

Took under advisement a complaint from Verdee Thomas, 900 Buck St., who said he bought some land near his home with a quit-claim deed in 1999. He subsequently lost the land at a tax sale and asked the board for help in reclaiming the land.

Ratified an emergency action to replace an air-conditioning compressor on the roof of the Warren County Courthouse. Building and Grounds Manager Chuck Thornton said the unit has been ordered and a crane arranged for. The county spent $1 million installing the system three years ago.

Approved the reappointment of Don Biedenharn to the Bovina Fire District board and Dr. Walter Johnston Jr. to the Fisher Ferry District board.

Took under advisement a request from Terry Rector, county Extension director, to provide an office for an area leadership specialist in Warren County.

Approved a local law enforcement block grant program and advisory board that will bring a total of $34,782 in local and grant money to the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.

Approved a bus turnaround at 101 Dusty Road.

Approved the extension to the end of December term contracts on supplies, except grader blades, and gave Purchasing Director Tonga Vinson permission to begin advertising for supply contracts to be opened after Jan. 1, 2004.

Reappointed Charles Thomas to the Culkin Water District board.

Approved a quit-claim deed to land that had been dedicated for a county road that was never built at the end of South Drive. The deed will be signed once Sherard investigates and approves it.

Appointed L.W. Callaway, Warren County Emergency Management director, to a hazard mitigation plan committee to work with Central Mississippi Planning and Development District.

Adjourned until 7 p.m. Sept. 25 for the public hearing on the domestic animal control ordinance.