The Laurel City Council approved a resolution Tuesday to consider offering city property to Jones County for the construction of a Department of Human Services building.

The agenda item, introduced by Councilman Trey Chinn, had only one no vote, that of Ward 3 councilman Tony Thaxton.

Thaxton, who said he supported DHS being maintained in the City of Laurel, noted the matter, which has seen the building being moved back and forth from Ellisville, was “being handled mysteriously.”

“I’ve never seen any request from the county asking the city to do anything,” he said. “I’ve never seen a resolution. They’ve never submitted a request for any piece of property.”

Thaxton said the property in question, which is located between Fred’s and Sam Creel & Associates in downtown Laurel, may also present a legal issue for the city if they take away that parking area.

Board attorney David Ratliff said he’s had the same concern from a legal standpoint.

“We need a legal description of what they’re looking for and what they need,” he said. “Then, we can take that legal description to Fred’s and Creel to see if they have any objections. This resolution doesn’t require us to do anything.”

Ratliff said he was “mystified” that the county has yet to do a proper survey of the property, noting that he hasn’t received a lot of answers.

Added Thaxton, “This is not the only piece of property in Laurel or downtown Laurel that could be used.”

Council members also questioned the offer by the Jones County Board of Supervisors to maintain the current jail charges for a five year period, giving the city a savings of more than $400,000 during that time frame.

“How can they say it will save us $400,000 over the five year period when they just doubled the charges within the past year,” Thaxton asked. “They’re not doing the city any favors. It’s just smoke and mirrors.”

Ward 5 Councilman Manuel Jones said he doesn’t believe in voting on what a person says that they will do. “Where is the letter that says they won’t go up on jail fees for five years,” he asked.

Jones also questioned the wording of the resolution that said the city could convey “as much property as needed” for the DHS building.

“I’ve never seen a resolution like this,” he said. “They should have been more specific. What keeps them from coming back and saying they need space for 300 cars?”

Jones said that he expects to see everything in writing from the Jones County Board of Supervisors.

“If I don’t see none of that, I’m going to have a no vote,” he said. “It was on WDAM that the supervisors were giving us another chance (for the DHS building). The supervisors are not giving us a second chance to do nothing.”

Jones said he believes the dialogue has been open between both boards since the beginning, but the county has been slow to act.

“We’re not the ones who are being stubborn,” he said. “The supervisors voted to go to Ellisville. The supervisors should have started with a letter asking us for the land.”

Ward 1 Councilwoman Willie L. Evans said Tuesday night’s vote “opens the doors for that dialogue.”

“With this, we can come together, sit at the table and do what’s best for the citizens of Laurel and Jones County,” she said. “A new construction will enhance the facade of downtown Laurel.”

Chinn said he has received words of support from the Fred’s office in Meridian, and believes the rest of the answers will be worked out during the process.

Chinn noted that the property in question used to be the site of the Civic Center and old Farmer’s Market back when the downtown area was busier.

“I don’t foresee anyone utilizing this property in the future,” he said. “This is an example of what could be done in the downtown area. This could lead to a transformation of downtown Laurel and expansion of the central business district.”

In other matters, the board sent an order amending the City of Laurel’s travel policy to personnel committee.

The policy agenda included:

• Adopted an order allowing Rob Norman and Jeff Monk to attend the 2009 National Detector Training Seminar in New Orleans, La., on Nov. 8-11

• Adopted an order allowing William Sparrow and David Grasha to attend a Train the Trainer Class in Anniston, Ala., on Dec. 14-18

• Adopted an order allowing the Laurel Police Department to accept checks in the total amount of $11,250 for the purchase of a K-9

• Approved the first reading of an ordinance amending and correcting Section 22-45 from Ordinance No. 1545-2009 pertaining to garbage collection fees outlined in the Laurel Code of Ordinances in Chapter 22, “Solid Waste,” Article IV. Garbage Collection Fee

• Approved the second reading of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1049-1985 and 1191-1992 from Chapter 2, “Administration,” Section 2-27 of the Laurel Code of Ordinances to provide the procedure for the adoption of ordinances

• Adopted an order approving the request for advertisement for bids on two new mini excavators

• Adopted an order accepting the bid submitted by SouthGroup Insurance Services as the lowest and best bid submitted for property insurance coverage and boiler and machinery coverage for the City of Laurel

• Adopted an order ratifying authorization for travel by Lula Cooley, Hometown Retirement Community director, to the American Association of Retirement Communities Annual Conference in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Nov. 4-6

• Ratified the notice of a hearing for the Planning Commission’s zoning public hearing to be held on Nov. 19

• Approved the claims docket