Hale reports on bond issue
Marshall County School District Superintendent Lela Hale dropped in to the board of supervisors’ meeting to update them on the May 7 special election where voters will decide on a school bond issue.
She said the proposed $8,985,000 bond is not expected to increase school taxes. It will be an extension of a prior bond that was recently retired.
The bond is a 20-year general obligation bond that will be used to make repairs on buildings on each campus. If voters approve the bond issue, it will be issued between May and August, she said.
“If the bond does not pass, where does that money (millage) go?” asked District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett.
“It goes back to the county to decide what to do with it,” Hale said.
Board attorney Kent Smith explained that there is a levy in the current tax rate to pay off the bond within that existing levy.
Hale said a professional needs assessment indicated it would take $26 million to make all the recommended repairs.
“Nine million won’t go very far, but it will help fix roofs and so forth,” Hale said.
Only voters living in the Marshall County School District will be able to vote on this referendum. There are a small number of voters at the National Guard Armory precinct and the Head Start Center precinct, Hale said.
So all voting precincts will be open in the county.
In the chancery clerk’s report, Chuck Thomas announced that Sen. Neil Whaley was successful in getting an authorization for $350,000 in the legislative bond bill to be used to help replace the courthouse roof which is leaking. He also said the animal ordinance should be reworded to say residents should call animal control immediately rather than the language that reads animal control should be notified in 24 hours when dealing with a vicious dog.
Sheriff Kenny Dickerson’s office should be called when a vicious dog is to be reported.
District 2 Supervisor Eddie Dixon complained that people are dropping unwanted animals off at the school.
“They are packing up at the airport,” Thomas added.
Board attorney Kent Smith pointed out that notice of a polling place change can be done without going to the U.S. Department of Justice. But if district boundaries are going to be modified, notice has be given to the Secretary of State’s office. A change in voting place can be made simply by posting a notice, if no boundaries have changed, he said.
Smith said he researched AG opinions regarding the placing of rumble strips or speed bumps on county roads.
“In general this board has authority over roads but there are some potential liability issues that exist,” he said.
In county administrator Larry Hall’s report, he provided two quotes for the replacing of the flat-top roofing material on the west wing of the courthouse. Caleb Crowell was awarded the bid at $9,619. Swindoll Construction of Batesville bid $10,363 on the project.
Opening of the Marshall County Workforce Training Center has been moved to September 22. Work was held back by a very wet late winter that made it difficult for contractors to work at the site.