By Billy Davis
Panola County supervisors on Monday followed up on matters from the previous week, including the hiring of a computer technician for the sheriff’s department.

Supervisors approved the hiring of Gary Hester after Sheriff Otis Griffin reported Hester would work part time at $10 an hour.

Griffin, at last week’s meeting, had suggested full-time employment for Hester, a former state inmate.

The county board also approved Griffin’s request to fill a deputy position and move a part-time jailer to a full-time slot.

Monday’s board meeting began with action on a county-owned building in Sardis presently occupied by non-profit North Delta Enterprise Community. That matter fell under old business after supervisors postponed action last week.

After its 10-year lease ran out earlier this year, the non-profit submitted the only bid, $200 annually, for the building when the county advertised for bids.

Supervisors voted 5-0 Monday to drop language from North Delta’s proposed contract that would require the county to make repairs to the roof and the building’s central heat and air unit.

“I think we need to take that out,” said Supervisor Kelly Morris, who called for a board motion.

“Those things were done during renovation,” replied Verna Hunter, executive director of the non-profit.

Asked by board president Gary Thompson if she would accept the changed language, Hunter said she must consult with the non-profit’s board of directors.

Supervisors left untouched the proposed rental fee of $200 annually.

In other county business:

•Supervisors approved a winning bid from Union Construction for a bridge replacement on Cotton Plant Road.

The board vote is subject to the approval of State Aid, since Union’s bid of $344,149 is more than the State Aid estimate, $279,179.

State Aid is an agency within the Miss. Department of Transportation that assists the state’s counties.

The county received one other bid, $515,679, from Talbert Bros.

•Road manager Lygunnah Bean reported that the county is turning down a business solicitation for spraying county roadsides.

An Alabama-based company presented a proposal last week to apply herbicides along 100 miles of county right-of-way at a cost of $50 a mile. The proposal included three applications at a total cost of $15,000.

Bean said the road department, when properly equipped, can spray the roadsides at a much cheaper cost.

Bean, citing his department budget, also reported he would not seek to purchase a new piece of machinery known as an asphalt zipper. The zipper rips up asphalt to prepare the road bed.

•Supervisors took no action on a request from ICS Headstart that county government help the organization purchase a bus for students.

ICS executive director Eloise McClinton made the request.

A local and private bill, passed by the state legislature last year, allows Panola County to spend up to $50,000 for the purchase of a bus, reported board attorney Bill McKenzie.

Supervisors did agree to provide a “support letter” to ICS Headstart, which is attempting to secure $1.6 million in various grants and loans to construct a new building in Crenshaw.

•Supervisors agreed to return Thursday at 4 p.m. to decide on the winning price quote for a roof replacement at the old national guard armory in Batesville.

The old armory, owned by the county and the City of Batesville, presently houses the Boys and Girls Club.

County engineer Larry Britt, who had sought quotes, reported prices ranged from $26,040 to $41,080.

The county board agreed to return after giving Britt more time to seek more information about material costs for the roof.

Batesville Alderman Bill Dugger was present to observe the county board’s discussion of the roof.