By Billy Davis

Panola County government will replace the roofs at its county courthouses in Batesville and Sardis this year, the Board of Supervisors said Monday.

Supervisors voted to seek bids for the project, choosing replacement over patching.

Supervisors also voiced approval to find land to construct a building for the Department of Human Services.

Engineering firm Elliot and Britt is recommending the roof replacement at both locations, engineer Steven Gray told the county board.

“Patching it will not solve the problem,” Gray said. “It might last a month or a week, or maybe a day.”

Gray said supervisors could choose either a Duralast roof or a seam roof to replace what is atop the
buildings.

“Doesn’t Duralast have a longer warranty?” asked Supervisor John Thomas.

“It’s a 15-year warranty,” said County Administrator Kelley Magee.

The county board also heard from Arlene Wilson, county director of the Department of Human Services.

“I don’t need a new roof but I need a new building,” Wilson said.

She went on to explain that several departments are operating from the same crowded building in Sardis, and another department is operating from a separate building elsewhere in Sardis.

Magee told supervisors she is researching construction of a building with assistance from North Delta Planning and Development. The building would be leased to Human Services, she said.

After the meeting, Magee told The Panolian she met with Wilson and North Delta Planning last week about a new building.

Supervisors were aware of Wilson’s request before she spoke, Magee also said.

In other county business, road manager Lygunnah Bean told the Board of Supervisors it was time to prepare a four-year road plan for the county.

The road plan, required by state law, describes county government’s intentions for maintenance and upkeep of roads and bridges.

Bean also informed supervisors that the road department is unable to borrow any more money until it pays off a bond in 2014.

The county roads need “lots of shoulder gravel and lots of resealing,” which Bean estimates to cost about $600,000.

The road manager said he is optimistic current funds would allow the road department to follow through on the road plan approved by supervisors.

“Certainly a plan is just a plan,” Bean said “Things happen to change.”