Partnership asks increase in funding from city

By John Howell
Newly-hired Panola Partnership CEO Joe Azar made his first appearance at a meeting of Batesville’s mayor and aldermen Tuesday, bringing with him an increased funding request from the Partnership board of directors to fund an additional staff member and expanded services.
Azar said that the request was developed during development of a short-term and long-term marketing plan for the county.
“To accomplish what we need to accomplish in the marketing plan, we would need an additional $20,000,” Azar said, citing a need to increase tourism advertising, to list potential industrial sites on a leading economic development web site and an additional Partnership staff member to promote tourism in the county.
“We have to have a person who can take duties off of Colleen (Clark) and Meredith (Fleming) and go out a do some things,” Azar  said, including member recruitment. He said the part-time office employee hired after the departure last September of former Partnership CEO Sonny Simmons “has been extremely busy; we need a full-time person in the office.
“That’s why we’re asking for the additional $20,000 if y’all see fit,” Azar said.
Alderman Eddie Nabors asked Azar if the amount would cover the salary of the new person and allow increased tourism advertising.
“Yes, because I took a lesser salary … the difference in my salary and Sonny’s will also go towards that,” Azar replied. He said that the Panola County Board of Supervisors will be asked to match the city’s increase.
“A lot of it (the increase) is going to go to this ACT Work Force Development,” Azar continued. “This ACT Work Keys test that we want to give our students at North and South Panola and North Delta; we want them to have opportunity to be tested and certify out county,” he said.
The certification, according to the web site <workreadycommunities.org> “empowers … counties with data, process and tools that drive economic growth … “ The cerfication is recognized by over 15,500 employers nationwide.
Mayor Jerry Autrey said that the city has budgeted $180,000 for the Panola Partnership for fiscal 2017.
“We’re going to have to discuss this,” the mayor said.
“Yeah, we’re going to have to take this under advisement,” Alderman Stan Harrison said.
In other business, Batesville Main Street Manager Colleen Clark asked for funds the city has budgeted for May’s Springfest. Clark said that planning is underway for the annual two-day food, music and fun festival that anticipates increased arts and crafts sales, children’s activities and a radio-station-sponsored youth talent event.
Aldermen approved Clark’s request by unanimous vote as well as a separate request to be allowed to work directly with Police Chief Jimmy McCloud to determine street closings as needed during the event.
The city officials also approved Panola County Humane Society President Margaret Eubank’s request to be allowed to hold the 10th annual Races for Paws 5K fundraiser on the Saturday morning of Springfest, May 20.