By Billy Davis

Panola County supervisors voiced approval Monday for the sheriff’s department to provide dispatch services for the Town of Como and to seek a second such contract with Crenshaw.

Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve an inter-local agreement between the sheriff’s department and Como pending city approval.

Como officials had approached the county about the arrangement and all parties have reached an agreement, Panola EMA director Daniel Cole told the Board of Supervisors.

Under the plan, Como will pay the sheriff’s department $2,000 a month, due by the 16th of each month, Cole further explained.

Como’s mayor and aldermen will discuss the agreement tonight, he said. Everette Hill is Como mayor and Fred Boskey is police chief.

Cole oversees emergency operations for the county and his office also oversees E-911 emergency services.

Supervisors also voted 5-0 to approve a letter Cole has written that will request that Crenshaw pay the county $2,000 monthly for dispatch services.

Crenshaw is already using sheriff’s dispatchers but does not pay for the service, Cole told the county board.

“We feel like it’s fair if they pay also,” he said.

Oscar Barlow is Crenshaw mayor and Otis Griffin, the former sheriff, serves as part-time police chief.
Cole said the sheriff’s department currently employs nine full-time dispatchers and may have to hire another full-time or a part-time employee to handle additional calls.

Sheriff Dennis Darby, head dispatcher Rosa Wilson and other personnel were present to hear discussion of the dispatcher service.