HOUSTON - Chickasaw County roads could be in much better shape this year, if the paperwork and funding can clear all the hoops.

County engineer Ed Springer ran down the projects in progress in the county at Monday's supervisors meeting, including:

- A bridge replacement project on County Road 413, awaiting approval from the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

- Replacement of a brige on County Road 52, with plans being drafted.

n Construction of a single-span bridge at the spillway on Davis Lake Road, awaiting approval from MDOT.

- Reseal on County 406 from Buena Vista to County Road 418, possibly ready by summer.

- Installation of a box culvert on County Road 408, awaiting bonds and other paperwork from the contractor.

In addition, Springer told the board that County Road 409 had been added to the State Aid system in the county. The board approved an order during the meeting that removes County Road 18 from the State Aid system.

Springer said he is trying to have old Highway 15 north and south of Houston, which has been turned over to the county, added to the State Aid system as well.

Supervisor Jerry Hall said state Rep. Preston Sullivan had introduced a bill in the Legislature last year that would automatically add former state highways given to counties to the State Aid system, but amp"I don't know if it passed. I'll have to check on that.amp"

Springer said old Highway 15 could cause problems for the county, because the road has a concrete base.

When old Highway 45 through Macon was turned over, "Noxubee County was hurt bad," Springer said. "They overlaid it with asphalt, but they didn't fix the underlying gaps. They had to go back redo everything about three years later.

amp"The county just doesn't have the equipment to maintain concrete roads."

Projects stretch out for long periods because they have to be judged eligible for certain funding, planned and often must be approved by MDOT.

"We've worked on CR 4 and CR 70 (projects) for a year and a half ... we still have a year and a half to go," Hall said.

Springer also told the board that electrical and computer wiring and sheetrock have been installed in the new WIN Job Center in Houston. He expects the building to open near or shortly after its Feb. 14 due date.

In other business:

- Sheriff Jimmy Simmons said he has been trying to get as many state prisoners as possible for the county's work program before summer.

"As long as we can save some money, I want to try to keep workers here," Simmons said.

The state is keeping more prisoners in its own facilities to save money, instead of paying counties to house prisoners in their jails.

- County attorney John Andrew Gregory presented a prospective agreement with Okolona to join in the e-911 system. The board expected Houston's aldermen to act on a similar agreement this month.

- Supervisor Albert Rayford passed the gavel to new board president Tommy Criddle. David Gene Walters succeeded Criddle as vice president.