By Rupert Howell
Tim Holliday’s $3,000 bid for the old Mid-State building on highway 551 in Sardis was accepted by Panola supervisors at the Monday, January 13 board meeting held at the Batesville Courthouse.

That building and several confiscated vehicles currently parked at the county’s Wilson Road facility were recently advertised for sale to the highest bidder. Supervisors took the vehicle bids under advisement to determine which bid was actually highest as some were individual bids and others collective.

Annual bids for county services and supplies were also opened and taken under advisement during the meeting.

County engineer Larry Britt informed supervisors that funding to repair a currently closed bridge on Melrose Road was uncertain.

District Five supervisor Cole Flint whose district encompasses Viney Creek Road, said maintenance and repairs on that road could be postponed if dedicated funds could be reapplied to the Melrose bridge.

“Yeah, to get a road open—we’ve got a road closed, we got to get that fixed,” Flint said while offering his blessing.

The District Five supervisor explained that he thought opening a closed road was more important than improving a road that was currently open.

Supervisors agreed to cancel the Viney Creek project for the present, include Melrose Road and then re-position Viney Creek in the county’s road program.

Britt also sought approval for payment of funding for work on Tocowa Road and relocation of water lines on Old Panola and Cline Road.

He explained that because of different funding sources, utility relocation may be a legal expenditure on the Cline Road but not on Old Panola Road.

While on the subject, District Three supervisor John Thomas voiced his opposition to paying for moving water lines from county right-of-way and suggested the water districts pay when a line on county right-of-way burst and damage roads.

Supervisors also approved reappointing supervisors Vernice Avant, James Birge and Kelly Morris as well as Batesville alderman Eddie Nabors to the North Delta Development District Board of Directors.

Supervisors will again meet in Batesville on Wednesday, Janaury 22 at 9 a.m. to finish January business.