CARROLLTON — Carroll County’s participation in an economic development district with area counties appears to be in doubt after Carroll supervisors expressed concerns Monday about the district’s status.
In November 2012, supervisors voted to join three other counties —Webster, Choctaw, and Montgomery — in an economic development group that would work to bring jobs to the area.
The cost of participation would be $40,000.
Beat 1 Supervisor Terry Herbert said Monday he is concerned about the lack of information.
“I don’t want anyone to think we are against economic development, but we have to look out for the taxpayer,” Herbert said. “I have reservations. It has not moved along in a timely manner. One man left. I don’t know who we’re dealing with. There are too many unanswered questions.”
Beat 5 Supervisor Rickie Corley agreed.
“We haven’t been kept informed. It has been three weeks since we have heard anything,” he said.
After looking back in the minutes, board clerk Sugar Mullins told the board they had voted to join the group and pay the $40,000 only if they approved the agreement, which they first saw on Monday.
Board attorney Kevin Horan said the board “should be careful. You’re not being consulted. If we sign, we’re in.”
Beat 4 Supervisor Claude Fluker told the board he wants to know who will head up the group, since the original director has resigned.
Horan told the board he will try to find out what is going on with the proposed group and report back to the board. In the meantime, no action was taken.
In other business, the board:
- In a 3-2 vote, approved reimbursement for constables Joe Holman and Rob Banks to attend a convention and training seminar in Natchez June 3-8. Board President Honey Ashmore said the constables are well over their budget, about 65 percent, and he and Beat 3 Supervisor Marvin Coward voted against reimbursement.
- Took no action on a voluntary legal plan for employees presented by Todd Allen of Legal Shield. Allen said his company’s plan would allow employees access to legal services they don’t currently have at a cost of $5.98 per week.
- Approved an agreement between T.J.and Jan Nabors and Carroll County to mine clay gravel from the Nabors’ property at $1 per yard, beginning May 1 and ending May 1, 2016.
- Approved a lease-purchase for Beat 5 on a backhoe from bond money. The board voted to finance $18,900 through People’s Bank at arate of 2.09 percent.
- Agreed to allow Beat 4 to purchase a dump truck for $32,000 with bond money.
