Visitors to the Covington County Courthouse may have to soon mind where they park, after commissioners opened discussions Monday to establish employee-only parking areas near the courthouse.

There are 66 employees who “battle for parking spaces” each day, Chairman Lynn Sasser said.

“It would be a lot more convenient if employees knew exactly where to park each day, and it would free up space on the square,” Sasser said.

Sasser said there are two areas where the employee parking lots could be located — the lot behind the courthouse and the parking area where the old annex building used to stand.

“There is already an area designated right behind the courthouse that is reserved for judges and their secretaries, but it would make things better if the employees had a spot to park,” he said.

Discussion then ensued on whether or not to give department heads assigned parking and how to “go about getting it done.” Commissioners agreed to ask Circuit Clerk Roger Powell to act as a liaison between the courthouse employees and Commissioner Bragg Carter and County Engineer Darren Capps to establish the specific areas.

County Attorney Rick Clifton informed commissioners the areas must be clearly designated with signage.

In other business, the commission:

closed a portion of Cook Loop Road.

established Oct. 25-31 as Pro Bono week at the request of local attorney John Peek.

granted authority to establish Garden Baptist Church cemetery.

announced an application for an off-premise retail beer license for The Store, formerly known as Onycha Country Store.