By John Howell
Panola Partnership CEO Sonny Simmons told Batesville city officials that negotiations are nearing completion that would bring a new industry to the Airport Industrial Park.

During Tuesday’s meeting of the board of mayor and aldermen he asked the city to extend its water, sewer and gas lines about 300 feet from Highway 35 to the edge of the property.

The Panola Partnership will extend a road to the property, City Engineer Blake Mendrop said. The Partnership will also place LED lights at the site, Simmons said.
“We’re getting to the end of negotiations; I just wanted you to be aware of it,” Simmons told city officials.

In other city business:
• Mayor Jerry Autrey announced that Batesville head librarian Alison Bentley had resigned. Bentley had served since October, 2013.

Autrey said that First Regional Library Director Ed Hughes had begun a search for her replacement;

• Aldermen unanimously approved City Clerk Susan Berryhill’s recommendation to purchase new software accounting and payroll from BBI of Flowood for $14,586.03.

BBI was the lowest of three quotes that ranged up to $97,541. The new purchase will replace software purchased in 2002 from an independent provider.

At public hearings on Tuesday:
• Aldermen approved a request by Aiyee Food Truck operator Wesley Price for a two-year conditional use permit to park his truck in the Midtown Shopping Center parking lot on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

They also approved a one year conditional use permit for Price to park the truck in the Tractor Supply parking lot on Saturdays and for special events.

• Aldermen also approved a six-month conditional use permit for Jerome Partee to park his food truck in the Panola Plaza parking lot two days a week.

Votes to approve the conditional use permit requests were all unanimous.