By Rupert Howell
Panola County supervisors have gone “paperless” and are sporting new tablets instead of paper agendas at their regular meetings.

Department heads, their attorney and the county administrator also are online, following the agenda via tablets.

The agenda and other documents presented at supervisors meeting are considered public record once they are placed before the board.

County Administrator Kelly Magee formerly mailed an agenda to each supervisor on Friday prior to each Monday meeting. Now they receive it on an electronic tablet. Magee said she will continue to provide paper copies for others interested in the county’s business at the meetings.
District Five supervisor Cole Flint voiced his approval Monday of the paperless system indicating that the amount of paper he is bequeathed with his position is almost overwhelming.

Supervisors serve as a board of judges elected from five supervisor districts in the county with equal population. They each have an equal vote and issue orders concerning laws, expenditures and policies of the county.

Meetings are regularly scheduled for both of Panola’s court districts, the first Monday of the month at 9 a.m. at the Sardis Courthouse for the First Court District, and the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the Batesville courthouse for the Second Court District.

District Four supervisor Kelly Morris serves as that board’s president and District One supervisor James Birge is vice-president.

The board traditionally follows a strict format, first taking care of old business prior to following items  in order listed on the agenda. President Morris also asks for additional comments following completion of agenda items, before adjournment.

All supervisor meetings are open to the public.