Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham continues to try to get an erosion control project in northeast Jackson started.
The supervisors voted during their Aug. 15 meeting to transfer the $2 million the Legislature appropriated to the county to the city of Jackson for the project that would solve erosion along White Oak Creek that has resulted in washing away portions of backyards on Carolwood Drive.
Graham called the idea “one of the most asinine things” he’s heard of during his service on the board that dates to 2008.
“The Legislature gave the money to us because they had the confidence we could get it done and do it right,” Graham said. The city of Jackson has all kinds of issues and they don’t need one more. The city of Jackson doesn’t have enough employees and they don’t have the manpower to put toward the project.”
Supervisor David Archie of District Two expressed support for the project by saying that residents in north and northeast Jackson pay the lion’s share of taxes in Hinds County and projects in those areas should be supported.
Graham hopes to get the motion that the supervisors passed rescinded during the next board of supervisors meeting because the legislation doesn’t allow the supervisors to give the funds to Jackson.
Supervisor Vern O. Gavin, who represents District 4, made the motion to transfer the funds to the city of Jackson because that’s where the project is and there would be no need for an interlocal agreement between the city and the county.
The project hasn’t had the smooth start that might be expected.
During the Aug. 1 meeting of the supervisors, Graham sought the board’s approval to use the existing funds to start the project and retain Waggoner AJA Engineers to perform planning, assessment and design for the project, but failed.
Graham had hoped the supervisors would approve starting the planning, assessment and design for the project at their Aug. 15 meeting but that took an unexpected turn with the motion to transfer the funds to the city.
Graham tried to get the Hinds County Supervisors to provide another $2 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act but was not successful.
The supervisors vetoed an additional $2 million for repairs to the creek during their July 5 meeting and their July 18 meeting.
Credell Calhoun, who represents District 3 and serves as board president, said the $2 million would be better used to help put in a water line in south Jackson. He thinks funding for erosion control can be found to repair White Oak Creek.
