Attorney Bill McKenzie reported after the short closed door session that supervisors voted unanimously to go forward with an industrial proposal offered by Simmons for the Mississippi Development Authority explaining it was a “long shot”  but put Panola County in the running for a possible opportunity.

During the First Court District meeting held each first Monday in Sardis supervisors also approved Tax Assessor David Garner’s request to amend his budget in the amount of $6,700 to purchase compatible software and printer equipment.

Emergency Management Director Daniel Cole who also serves as the county’s fire coordinator informed supervisors that Bynum and Red Hill Fire Departments had both been reclassified  to a “9” rating from “10” which should benefit property owners on reduced insurance rates.

Morris Horn was reappointed to Mt. Olivet’s fire commission as was Renee Lawrence at the request of Cole. Cole provided a letter from Martha Hall asking that she not be reappointed as a commissioner asking that Lawrence be appointed.

The EMA director received permission to purchase a new truck for his department after providing two quotes with the lowest coming from Hallmark Ford. Cole explained a Tahoe presently being used by his department would be purchased by the Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Dennis Darby yielded his time to his department’s office manager, Robbie Haley, who requested funds from the Panola County Task Force Forfeiture Fund be transferred to the Sheriff’s Department  forfeiture fund.
Haley explained the change was being made to meet regulations since the task force no longer included other agencies and is an arm of only Panola County Sheriffs Department.

Two school bus turn-arounds, one for each North Panola and South Panola, were approved as was Constable Buck Harris’ request for an $1,800 annual “loss of cost” payment to constables and uniform allowance allowed by law.

Road Manager Lygunnah Bean received permission to hire an additional heavy equipment operator, James Michael Haley, who will work in the county’s gravel pit.

Attorney McKenzie informed supervisors that they are required to do an annual inspection at Panola County Jail recommending they complete that task next week while meeting in Batesville.