Panola County is facing an approximate $148,000 increase in for its 170 member group insurance plan with Blue Cross, but representative Kirk Scoggins with Gathings Insurance Partners provided alternatives for the supervisors to consider during Monday’s First District meeting at Sardis Courthouse.

County Administrator Kelley Magee said after the meeting that the county currently writes checks for about $991,000 for health coverage.

Scoggins told the board that he “went to the market,” and the only option (for spending less money) is with Blue Cross, revealing several options to lower premiums from the projected increases.

Supervisors promised a decision by next Monday’s meeting in Batesville on which option to choose after voting to take the matter under advisement.
Supervisors approved personnel changes in the county’s solid waste department following recent terminations.

Promoting from within, Jennifer Jackson was approved as Solid Waste Manager and Johnathan Wiley was named assistant manager. Salaries of both employees were also increased with the new positions.

Tax Assessor/Collector David Garner said the assessed rolls for property increased two percent over the previous year and advised supervisors that hearing dates have been set for later this summer.

The increased value comes from state mandated reappraisals required every four years.
“I know we’re going to have a lot of people moaning and groaning but that’s how it is. The state says we have to reappraise every four years,” Garner added.

Magee said later that she didn’t think the two percent increase figured in the loss of LSP Energy, now South Mississippi Electric Power Association’s Batesville Generation Station, that was on the county rolls for $200 million before it went bankrupt in February of 2012. The current owner is not subject to county property tax, approximately $30 million at time of the bankruptcy.

Supervisors accepted David “Dopey” Floyd’s resignation from Panola County Airport Board of Directors although they did not vote for a recommended successor.

Supervisors reappointed Gary Kornegay to the Industrial Development Authority. He currently serves as president of that board.

Supervisors also decided to bid for radio equipment for the county’s Emergency Management Agency and other first responders. According to Emergency Management Director Daniel Cole, only two companies, Motorola and Tait, both have state contracts and bidding is not required. Cole offered the bidding approach option to supervisors in hopes of getting a better price for the equipment.