By Rupert Howell
Supervisors met again Thursday morning to determine budget figures with County Administrator Kelley Magee supplying figures for comparing current millage with estimated millage increases in corresponding dollars.

While working on the county’s general fund budget, District Three supervisor John Thomas was most vocal, wanting it explained that spending has been “reined in” with the exception of mandated items and increases over which the county has no control.

Magee had supplied supervisors with a list of items that increased the county’s expenditures including special elections almost every year, recently mandated radio replacement, drastic health insurance cost increases, additional percentage of employee retirement costs, and the loss of LSP Energy on the tax rolls.

Magee explained that the general fund’s budget since 2010 has remained neutral except for mandated changes.

Budgets outside of the general fund including road and bridge and sheriff’s department are basically the same.

The current general fund is funded with 34.22 mills with supervisors looking to increase millage 37 or 38 for that fund.

One item added to the general fund’s proposed budget was $2,500 to assist Panola County Humane Society with medicine for dogs relocated from the county’s rural areas after a request from that organization’s president Yvonne Taylor at last Monday’s meeting.

Supervisors also discussed decreasing their participation with Panola Partnership to the same amount given by the City of Batesville, $110,000. The county currently contributes $160,000 with supervisors Cole Flint and Thomas questioning the effectiveness.

Board president Kelley Morris and District One supervisor James Birge recommended leaving the amount the same with hopes of better results and participation from membership.

No action was taken but supervisors Flint and Thomas seemed to be in agreement while awaiting District Two supervisor Vernice Avant’s input. She was not present for medical reasons but the board meets again to finalize budget matters next Thursday, August 22.