By Rupert Howell
“It’s so much easier if they’ll come come see me before construction or setup,” Panola County Flood Plain Manager Chad Meeks said recently.
“if it’s out of compliance, it either has to be brought in to compliance, taken down or moved.”
Meeks also serves as enforcement officer of Panola County’s Land Commission with other responsibilities including 911 addressing while ensuring that county construction projects are in compliance with Panola County regulations.
He explains that many of the problems occurring could have been avoided had the property owner first checked with his office. That office located in the Cliff Finch County Office Building on Eureka Street in Batesville and is open and staffed daily.
Permits and regulations are available there and Meeks also encouraged citizens to visit the website at panolacoms.com to learn more details about requirements for construction as well as flood plain information.
All residential construction is required to have a permit and that includes manufactured homes’ setup.
“Recreational vehicles (RVs) defined for temporary use only and have to meet certain criteria before they are permitted for occupancy he explained of RVs on property where someone would live temporarily.
And that criteria is the same  as setting up a permanent residence on property with requirements including, ownership of property, waste water compliance and a minimum lot size of one acre he explained.
A staff member is in the office all day during the work week according to Meek and they can be reached at (662) 563-6313.