The Warren County Board of Supervisors moved a step closer to securing property to build a new county jail.

After emerging from executive session to discuss the matter during their regular meeting Monday, the supervisors voted unanimously to purchase 47 acres on U.S. 80 where the former Pinewood Motel was located.

According to Warren County Board of Supervisors Attorney Blake Teller, the county will buy the property for $400,000, which is $29,000 more than the appraised value.

The 47-acre site, which has not been a popular choice with some residents in the area, was targeted as a potential jail location once it became clear the first choice location at the Ceres Industrial Complex was not favorable to local and state economic development and city officials.

One of the most vocal critics of the county purchasing the property is Nancy Thomas, a homeowner adjacent to the Pinewood property who has come before the board on two previous occasions. She was also in the crowd Monday and was allowed to speak, although she was not on the agenda, prior to the board going into executive session.

She said she bought her property with the intention of retiring in the area.

“This has completely disrupted my future plans,” Thomas said.

She asked if the county had plans to house other inmates besides those from Warren County.

“… so that we’re taking in other county’s convicts, rapists and murderers with the potential any of them can escape at any time,” Thomas said.

Board President Richard George told her there are no plans to bring inmates from other counties to the new Warren County facility. He said it is not a profitable business to house inmates from other areas and the county has all it can handle now.

She also asked if anyone on the board was concerned about the impact the jail would have on the neighborhood in the area.

George told her the county has looked at several locations and this is the most preferable site.

She also wanted to know if anyone on the board or anyone affiliated with the board would profit from the purchase of the property on U.S. 80.

“Absolutely not,” George told her. “Make that plain. Be real plain.”

She said she wanted to live comfortably in retirement in Vicksburg.

“But now all I can think about is how I can get out of Vicksburg,” Thomas said.

George said he is pleased with the site location and it fits the needs of the county for the future.

“There’s ample space and I believe it will provide suitable area and still have a buffer to enhance the surrounding areas,” George said. “Its proximity to our other operations is suitable as well. Overall, it’s a very workable site.”