Madison agrees transfer for Convention Center
Madison County approves $4.5 million transfer to Ridgeland for convention-center infrastructure
The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to send roughly $4.5 million to the City of Ridgeland for water, sewer, road-widening and retention-pond work tied to a convention center, over the objection of one supervisor.
At the board's regular meeting Oct. 20, Supervisor Brandon questioned the arrangement before the vote. "I'm just curious as to why we're transferring money to the City of Ridgeland to do this much-needed infrastructure work on a Madison County project on Madison County land," he said, adding, "It seems like we're adding a middleman, which will cost us extra money." He also noted the county would forgo interest on the $4.5 million while work remains unfinished, rather than letting the funds continue earning interest toward the related loan. A staff member identified as Joey responded that routing the money through Ridgeland allows the city's engineers to oversee specifications it requires. The board then approved the transfer.
The outlay represents a significant public expenditure routed through a neighboring municipality rather than handled directly by the county, and it drew pointed cost and interest concerns from a sitting supervisor before passing.