After a scheduled public hearing, the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1-1 to accept a draft copy and establish an ordinance requiring application and acquisition of a building permit before beginning construction in the county.
Supervisor Glenn Donald had raised the issue previously citing that the county was losing money because structures including homes were being erected and county tax officials were unaware of the construction.
Supervisor Dennis Holmes voted no.
He said the ordinance would mostly affect rural landowners who already pay 75 percent of the tax for the whole county.
“I have not had, not the first positive response,” Holmes said.
He indicated that some had told him they were going to be there for the hearing and were opposed to the permit requirement and likely didn’t show because of the weather.
His other concern was the need to hire a county code enforcer, or shift the assignment to the county’s maintenance director, who had indicated that he would be willing to take on those responsibilities, which would result in having to hire someone to help out with his current maintenance duties.
Supervisor Anthony Clark abstained, although he admitted he was for establishing an ordinance, he stated he wanted to give the people another chance to come voice their views, citing the weather as a possible reason why no one showed up. Donald responded that the whole process, including re-advertising, would have to be completed again, which would involve delays and additional charges.
He explained that even if a few persons objected, it would still be at the county’s discretion to enact the ordinance, plus, what they had before them was not an ordinance but an order to establish an ordinance, all the details still must be worked out.
He further defended his position by asserting that a property owner would experience higher insurance rates if their home was not built to code.
“We have to do what benefits and is best for Sunflower County as a whole. Washington County has one, Bolivar County has one, why should we be antiquated?” said Donald.
The supervisors will meet later to set the guidelines such as size or cost requirements that must be met before a permit is required plus other guidelines.
A second public hearing was held and they voted to abandon a portion of Baughman Road at the landowners’ request.
The supervisors also re-appointed Debbie Woodruff and Hulbert Lipe of districts 3 and 4 to the South Sunflower County Hospital board.
