Video: Lowndes County Votes To Leave Rec Authority In 2017

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s a possible split looming in Lowndes County.

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to withdraw from the Columbus Lowndes Recreation Authority, also called CLRA.

This comes after months of disagreements between the two sides.

The vote could be another step towards the end of this inter-local agreement, where the city and the county work together to fund and run parks and other community space.

It’s not necessarily the final blow.

Members of the county board tell WCBI Tuesday that they’d still like to meet with the city to discuss a possible resolution.

Lowndes County is giving one-year notice as of Tuesday’s vote. The parties could still come to terms before that deadline.

“We don’t know for sure we’re getting out,” county administrator Ralph Billingsley said. “We’re going to have discussions with other leaders and determine what would be best for the citizens of the city and Lowndes County.”

The decision comes after months of speculation. Columbus Mayor Robert Smith told WCBI a week ago he felt the county would leave. He said the county didn’t get input from the city regarding a $4,000 dollar study to evaluate efficiency.

Smith did say last week he’d like to continue discussions, but a city spokesperson said there’s no comment Tuesday from the city.