This morning the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors convened and re-visited their poor decision (see some previous posts here, here & here) relating to space utilization in the historic Courthouse on the Oxford Square.  I was in attendance, as promised, along with a fair number of local attorneys.  Following an entertaining (if you like to watch political trainwrecks) debate the Supervisors voted to return the Circuit Court to its long-time home and leave the Lafayette County Justice Court in its current space.  Additionally, the Board sought to clarify its previous indication that it would make room for civic organizations in the Courthouse.  Mike Pickens made a Motion, which passed on a 3-2 vote, which simply re-stated the pertinent law - that no space will be dedicated to civic organizations unless that property is first declared surplus by the Board.  I expect that this issue isn't dead yet.

Alyssa Schnugg of The Oxford Eagle has this story — some excerpts:

The Lafayette County Bar Association filed a motion to appeal the supervisors’ decision, claiming the circuit court should be put back into the courthouse where it has been since the late 1800s. Several attorneys and citizens had filed a petition against the Board of Supervisors’ decision.

A few days after the public responded so critically to the supervisors’ vote, Oliphant, who also serves as board president, announced he planned to change his vote to allow the circuit court to go back to the courthouse. He asked for the issue to be placed on this morning’s agenda for a re-vote.

Brooke Newman, representing the Bar Association, thanked the Board of Supervisors for its change of heart.

“I believe this is in the best interest of all Lafayette County citizens,” she told the board.

The board also voted unanimously to allow the members of the Lafayette County Elections Commission to have space in the courthouse.

In order for the county to allow non-county entities to use the building, it would have to be declared surplus property. Supervisor Mike Pickens made a motion to clarify that nonprofit civic agencies could not be moved over to the courthouse, as was voted on in August, since the property has not been declared surplus. Supervisors Oliphant and Morgan voted against the motion.

After the vote, Morgan said he would like to see the county hire someone to do a space utilization study.

My prediction, based on a number of comments during the meeting, is that the "space utilization" debate will not only continue, but that it will also continue to be a hot topic for public debate.  I'll keep you posted.