BROOKHAVEN — Lincoln County Supervisors discussed what to do with the flashing lights on major intersections and roadways near Lincoln County schools Monday morning. The traffic lights alert drivers that they are entering a school zone on roads in front of Enterprise, Loyd Star, Bogue Chitto and West Lincoln Attendance Centers. 

Lincoln County currently operates the traffic control device on Brookway Boulevard Extension near Brookhaven Academy. Lincoln County School District currently owns the equipment but is not able to maintain the devices and would like to give them over to the county. 

District 4 supervisor Eli Ferguson argued the signs should have been the County’s property to begin with. District 5 supervisor Doug Falvey asked why the county would be responsible for traffic devices on state highways such as MS-550, which runs in front of Loyd Star, and MS-583, which runs in front of Enterprise. 

Lincoln County engineer Ryan Holmes explained the devices are on school property. They can also be expensive to maintain. Only the traffic devices on Zetus near West Lincoln Attendance Center are powered by solar batteries. Holmes explained the battery can be sucked down in the winter time because there is less sunlight. 

His recommendation was for the County to go and assess the equipment and see how much it would cost to maintain them. Ferguson said he believes the County should take on the responsibility. 

“The safety of the kids should be our priority if no one else will take care of them. I want to make sure we do,” Ferguson said. “Let’s do whatever we have to do to make sure they are in good shape.” 

Supervisors voted to table the matter until Holmes is able to provide a report.