More discussion regarding construction of the county courthouse annex took place during Monday’s Pearl River County Board of Supervisors meeting.

On April 2, the Board adopted a resolution of intent to issue a general obligation bond for the courthouse expansion and annexation project, said Troy Johnston from Butler Snow law firm.

During the last meeting, Johnston spoke to the Board about the need to advertise for bids for two resolutions.

According to previous coverage the first resolution involved Johnston asking for the Board’s approval to have Butler Snow law firm and government consultants issue a bond for the establishment of the courthouse annex. The second proposed resolution involved the Board issuing the bond.

As required by law, the resolution was published in The Poplarville Democrat and the Board did not receive a single objection against the bond, allowing the Board to move forward with a bond that would be paid over a term of 25 years, Johnston said during Monday’s meeting.

County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin said according to projections provided to him, if the bond remains at 4 percent interest over 25 years, then there will be no need to increase taxes to retire the debt.

Lumpkin said the county’s current debt service is set at $820,000 a year. A bond for the annex would entail an annual payment of $850,000, an increase of $30,000.

The only anticipated payment increase would be during the third and fourth year where the county will be required to pay $200,000 more in debt service, he said.

The Board will obtain funding for the project from the Mississippi Development Bank. Later in May, work will begin on the building’s architecture, before advertising for bids for construction in June, Lumpkin said.

“Going through this bank allows us to do some restructuring and allows flexibility, which would not be possible with conventional banks,” he said.

Board Vice-President Hudson Holliday said by using the 25 year plan, the Board can set aside funding for the Economic Development Council the Board is forming.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for May 23 at 9 a.m. in the courthouse on Julia Street in Poplarville.