By Rupert Howell
Panola County supervisors approved beginning the process of closing East Compress Road in Supervisor District One that borders Como’s northeast city limits during their First Judicial District meeting held Monday in Sardis.

Two other roads, Bobo near Curtis and Robert Holder Road near Crenshaw—both in Supervisor District Two, are also being considered for the abandonment process.

District One Supervisor James Birge said all landowners with frontage on East Compress Road were in agreement to close that section of road leading supervisors to move forward with the process.

District Two supervisor Vernice Avant whose district encompasses the other two roads asked for additional time to contact property owners.

Attorney Bill McKenzie explained that once supervisors decided a road was no longer needed, an abandonment process would provide an opportunity to notify the public of the intentions of the board allowing potential dissenters to have a say.

Tri-State Truck was apparent low bidder for a front-load garbage truck for the Solid Waste Department with a bid of $249,950. The only other bid was from River City Hydraulics who bid $254,221.

Supervisors took both bids under advisement for comparison with no official action taken on the purchase Monday.

The county board also formally approved an aerial photography contract for $28,000 that for photos that will be used by both the tax assessor and the Emergency Management for geographical information systems.

Emergency Management Coordinator Daniel Cole reminded supervisors that $10,000 of the total would be reimbursed by MDOT. District Five supervisor Cole Flint reminded board members that the funds allocated were to be spread over two budget years.

County tax assessor/collector David Garner received approval to disallow a Homestead Exemption application from a property owner who provided a Tennessee address and ID.
Garner also revealed to supervisors that Madison County saved $500,000 by having an employee assigned to making sure Homestead Exemption recipients were indeed residents and occupants of the domicile claimed.

Board president Kelly Morris told Garner to continue to bring improper applications to the board and, “ . . .we’ll disallow them.”

Sheriff Department administrator Robbie Haley received approval to hire Bill Furniss as a full-time deputy replacing Mark Tidwell.. His monthly salary is set at $2,255.

Supervisors Birge and Avant both agreed to be reappointed to the North Delta Planning and Development District Board but action on their reappointment was postponed until next week until Batesville Alderman Eddie Nabors could be polled concerning his reappointment. Supervisors appoint local members to the district development board that covers seven northwest Mississippi counties with offices located in Batesville.

Supervisors meet again Monday, January 12 at 9 a.m. in the Batesville Courthouse.