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Marshall County supervisors discuss variety of ‘hot topics’ By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer The
Marshall County Board of Supervisors is paying close attention to
issues of concern for the Mississippi Association of Supervisors,
particularly due to the economic slowdown across the nation. County
administrator Larry Hall, who has attended some recent meetings of the
association, reported on some issues of concern to county boards of
supervisors at the October 18 board meeting. Funding
for mental health is one concern and another is broadband tax
exemptions for companies doing cable business in the state. Hall said supervisors want more broadband (Internet) coverage in the state and without it development is limited. Another
concern is that Mississippi One Call is pushing legislation for fines
and fees against counties when work crews break utility lines. “Counties and cities are fighting these fines and fees legislation,” he said. An
old topic of concern to counties is how to get more tax revenues from
companies that build low-income housing complexes. Counties have felt
they should pay more in property taxes. “MAS wants a legal interpretation of the law,” Hall said. “Strong lobbyists have helped these folks get tax exemptions.” Protection
of county reimbursement for homestead exemption is another hot topic.
Counties do not want the exemptions to be rolled back for homeowners. Redistricting
of supervisor districts is another concern since county boards will not
have 2010 U.S. Census data in time to draw up new districts, if
required, before the March 1, 2011, candidate qualifying deadline. Counties
have been advised to be pro active and to form review committees and
employ someone to work with demographics early on, Hall said. “In
cases where people have done everything in their power, they have
prevailed in Federal Court where there were lawsuits,” Hall said. The
board passed a motion to hire Elliott and Britt engineers to start
procedures. The firm drew up supervisor districts’ boundaries for the
county following the 2000 Census. Redistricting
does not affect other elected officials who run countywide or the the
county school board districts because no school board positions are
slated for the 2011 election year. In other business, the board of supervisors discussed pauper funerals and putting permanent markers on graves. “I think the county should put up a permanent marker, a little stone,” said supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett. In the past, graves have not been marked or placed in any particular order, Hall said. “Out
of respect for them as a human being, we should put up something,” said
Bennett. “We could put up a little granite footstone.” “That would help manage the cemetery, too,” said Hall. “It is in the woods.” “It would be ideal for a green burial,” said Chuck Thomas, chancery clerk. “They can let it go back to woods.” The board then passed a motion to provide a marker with name and dates for all paupers buried in the county’s cemetery.
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