By John Howell

Effective August 1, homebuilders in the county can get their E-911 address, order a culvert and purchase a building permit in one office.

Panola supervisors transferred the E-911 address assignment to the office of Panola County Land Development and Environmental Health at the Cliff Finch County Office Building, 245 Eureka Street, Batesville.

“If you’re going to build a house, you can get everything done in one location,” said Michael Purdy, Panola Land Development Director/Floodplain Manager.

Formerly, homebuilders were required to visit the office of Emergency Operations in Sardis to obtain an E-911 address before applying for their permit in Batesville. An E-911 address is required before electrical service can be provided and before a sewer treatment/septic system can be permitted. Panola supervisors this month authorized the change to consolidate the permit process.

Home builders should be aware that building permits for residential structures in the county start at $300 and ascend, based on square footage, Purdy said. Permits for manufactured homes are also based on square footage.

Home builders should also be aware that in 2010 the county adopted the 2006 International Residential Code that stipulates minimum construction standards for homes, the land development director said. Complete copies of the code are available for the public to review at the land development office on Eureka Street and at the offices of Panola County Chancery Clerk Jim Pitcock in the Sardis and Batesville courthouses.

 The land development office also provides condensed versions of the code highlighting the most pertinent items, Purdy said.

Homeowners who build in areas where flood insurance is required will find their premiums reduced by 10 percent, Purdy said, after a 2012 decision by Panola County supervisors to join the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System. Joining the rating system moved Panola’s NFIP classification from class 10 to class 8.