Department updates at supervisor's meeting

Simpson Stroupe, with the Marshall County Buildings and Grounds group, reported progress in getting buildings ready for occupancy and trouble shooting at the July 7 meeting of the Marshall County Board of Supervisors.

An air conditioner atop the Marshall County Extension Office died.

He said the compressor burned up. He produced quotes for replacement of the unit with a 7.5 ton capacity.

Chris Byers with American Heating and Air quoted $18,500 and Colston Refrigeration quoted $18,000 on a Carrier product.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn noted that some contractors are having trouble getting refrigerant.

“That freon available to contractors is tight (scarce) right now,” he said. “I’ve kind of passed up putting it.”

County administrator Tim Powell recommended taking the lowest quote and to get the unit installed since the employees have been waiting two weeks in the heat.

District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker recommended another product be purchased or that the compressor be changed out in the broken unit.

“If that unit is not damaged, I would say replace the compressor,” Zinn said.

The board approved changing out the compressor which would cost under $5,000.

Powell asked board permission to pay Mercer Remodeling and Repair’s invoice for $28,356 for the roof replacement on the old gym (the Merriweather building).

Tax assessor Barbara Belfoure presented the real and personal property rolls for 2025 to the board for acceptance.

She said she has created a form for people to use to appeal their assessed value.

“These (forms) are not the petitions (forms),” she said.

She said there is a $770 million increase in the real property roll.

The assessed value of motor vehicles and mobile homes are ready, she said.

The board passed a motion to accept the personal and real property rolls and the vehicle and motorhome roll.

Belfoure asked to hire two college students as summer interns to go through the building permits at $12 an hour through August 15.

She said the mil rate in her budget has to be put in the paper.

Powell said he and chancery clerk Nicole Phelps will handle the public notice on the millage rate.

Belfoure presented board action on two properties. Owners of a house in Chulahoma objected to the appraised value of their house and wanted it to be lowered and a 2024 tax bill on the property be voided. The house on another property, whose owner was deceased, burned. The board approved taking the burned house off the property tax roll.

Belfoure said she has found 65 new businesses in Potts Camp and in Byhalia that were put on the property tax roll.

She has found some old businesses that have never been on the tax roll, she said. These old businesses will be placed on the property tax roll going forward, she said.

The tax rolls were open for public view until the first Monday in August.

Holly Springs mayor Charles Terry dropped in on the meeting to seek agreement with the board of supervisors on the city and county building a working relationship.

“I’m here today and we want to extend our hand to you and for you to extend your hand back to us to work together,” Terry said.

David Johnson, zoning administrator, reported on cleanup orders and compliance with the event ordinance permit.

A property adjudicated in need of cleanup on 11 Sandridge Road was resolved, Johnson said.

Eight outdoor event permit requests have been approved after inspection and found to be in compliance.

A bid for clean-up of a property at 2618 Highway 309S was opened. Curt Huey Construction Company, sole bidder, offered to clean up the property, including clearing debris and boarding up windows and doors for a price of $2,100. The board approved the quote.

The board approved a beer license request from HJSH Enterprises for Jo Jo’s Truck Stop at 410 Highway 178.