Supervisors Hear Concerns of HUD Homeowners

Courtsey of WRBE, "Your Hometown Radio"
The George County Board of Supervisors spent most of Wednesday taking care of end-of-the-month business, addressing road petitions and hearing concerns from homeowners of the 2006 Home Grant Program.
During the first half hour of the regularly scheduled meeting, the supervisors approved several routine items, renewed volunteer fire department contracts, heard that grant-purchased generators for Lucedale Waterworks and Benndale Elementary School had arrived, and approved a $100 military car tag exemption for local citizens currently serving in the Middle East.
Sandra Bowling with the 2006 Home Grant Program reported to the supervisors that changes in the floor plans for two of the five HUD homes being built in George County had to be made due to rising cost and changes in state and federal regulations.
Bowling said in April of this year HUD officials put an hold on the program due to rising cost, overspending and inconsistencies. New floor plans were submitted and in June a list of changes and corrections was released with a deadline of July 20 for completion.
Bowling told the board on Wednesday, that the first three homes were built and final inspection were approved before the new regulations when into affect. For the fourth and fifth homeowners, a downsize to cover cost meant changes to the original floor plans.
Both homeowners were in attendance and stated they were thankful for their homes but had concerns with the new house plans. One home owners express contractor problems with leakage around an outside door and the improper installation of the air conditioner unit, which lead to floor replacement.
Bowling said the contractors will correct the mistakes at their own expense. The supervisors told Bowling to visit each of the homeowners and address their concerns before the August 6 board meeting.
Supervisors Henry Cochran, Kelly Wright and Larry Havard expressed concerns for the homeowners, but also told Bowling that they realized state and federal guildlines must be met.
Other items on the end-of-the-month agenda included several road issues, tax roll corrections, adjustments to the budget, the approval of the sale of five trucks previously owned by fire departments, heard updates on several road and bridge projects from County Engineer Bob Diamond and the approval of new employee Amanda Erkhart for Accounts Receivable department.