By John Howell Sr.
Batesville city officials face a light agenda for today’s meeting that may allow time for further discussion of mandatory random drug testing for all city employees.

Presently, only employees of the city’s gas department and police department are required to undergo mandatory, random drug testing, according to city officials who discussed expanded drug testing among other topics during their March 4 meeting.

The discussion came during a review of employee personnel policies and also included donation of employee leave time, cell phone/social media involvement, military leave and attendance.
Today’s agenda specifies for discussion only a review of the city’s contract with AT & T and a video tour agreement.

It also includes a consent agenda that authorizes employees of the fire and police departments to attend training sessions and professional development activities.

Discussion of personnel policy is listed among other matters that could be discussed, also including a traffic signal request to the Mississippi Dept. of Transportation for Highway 51 and Tiger Drive, the wall adjacent to the city’s property at the corner of Eureka Street and the Square, a proposed contractor’s manual, restrictions on parades, the survey of the Batesville Mounds property and a rental property code.