By Billy Davis

With one of their members admitted to the hospital, Panola County supervisors have announced they will postpone the selection of a new county administrator until their first board meeting in August.

Longtime supervisor Robert Avant, who serves as president of the board, was admitted Friday morning to Tri-Lakes Medical Center. Avant has appeared visibly sick at board meetings for weeks, and supervisors have said privately they were concerned about his health.

A spokesman with the chancery clerk’s office informed The Panolian of the cancelled meeting at 2 p.m. Friday. Supervisors who were contacted by the newspaper confirmed the meeting had been cancelled.

“We felt like it was such an important decision that we all needed to be there,” said Supervisor Gary Thompson.

“It’s probably good for all of us to be there at the same time,” said Supervisor James Birge.

The next scheduled board meeting is set for August 4 at 9 a.m. at the county courthouse in Sardis.

The county administrator’s post is among the most powerful and important roles in the county.

The board of supervisors, including Avant, conducted interviews throughout the day on Monday, hearing nine job candidates by day’s end.

The person picked by the board will replace long-serving administrator David Chandler.