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County Commission to Hear Broadband Proposal

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HUNTINGDON (October 7) — On Monday, Carroll County Resolutions Committee approved the agenda for the October 14 meeting of the Carroll County Commission. On the agenda are appointments to committees, financial matters, a presentation on broadband internet, and matters concerning the Watershed Authority, the owner of the Carroll County 1000-Acre Recreational Lake.
Representatives of TEC of Mississippi will address commissioners concerning a proposal to add fiber optic lines to provide broadband internet to the rural areas of McLemoresville and Buena Vista at no cost to the county. TEC is asking the county to support an application for a state grant of $2 million to build out the fiber network. The company plans to expand into other areas of the county, if grant funds are available for the initial and subsequent requests.
Commissioners will vote on a resolution requesting the designation of a broadband-ready community to support TEC’s request.
Cyril and Janis Ostiguy were granted permission by the committee to address the full county commission concerning the annual $10 wheel tax first implemented in 2003 and continues today. The proceeds of that wheel tax funded the construction and the ongoing development of the 1000-acre recreation lake. Commissioner Joel Washburn made the motion, which was second by Commissioner John Mann to add the Ostiguys to the agenda. It passed unanimously.
Commissioners will vote whether or not to establish the county’s Budget Committee as the liasion between the county of Carroll and the Carroll County Watershed Authority. Presently, any expenditure of funds for the development of the lake by the CCWA is a future liability of the motorists who pay the wheel tax. The county has to collect the revenue but has no say in the matter.
The first item on the agenda is the annual election of chairman and chairman pro tempore for the legislative body. Presently, Mayor Joseph Butler serves as chairman and John Austin as chairman pro tempore.
Committees assignments, as recommended by the mayor, are as follows:
BUDGET COMMITTEE — Willie Huffman, Chairman, Johnny Blount, Secretary, Manuel Crossno, Darrell Ridgely, and Brian Winston
TAX RATE COMMITTEE — Vince Taylor, Chairman, John Austin, Secretary, Hal Eason, Johnny Blount, and
Bobby Argo.
LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE — Ronnie Murphy, Chairman, Hal Eason, Secretary, Vince Taylor, Jimmy McClure, and Joel Washburn.
DELINQUENT TAX COMMITTEE — Jimmy McClure, Chairman, Ronnie Murphy, Secretary, Randy Long, Steve Parker, Manuel Crossno, and Darrell Ridgely.
CIVIC CENTER COMMITTEE — Paula Watkins, Chairman, Jeremy Fowler, Secretary, Larry Spencer, Bobby Argo, Jeff Carter, and Lori Nolen.
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE — Larry Spencer, Chairman, Joel Washburn, Secretary, Manuel Crossno, John Mann, and Lori Nolen.

INSURANCE COMMITTEE — John Austin, Chairman, Larry Spencer, Secretary, Willie Huffman, Jimmy McClure, Lori Nolen, and Joel Washburn.
PURCHASING COMMITTEE — Jeff Carter, Chairman, Paula Bolen, Secretary, Darlene Kirk, Paula Watkins, Vince Taylor, and Joseph Butler.
HIGHWAY COMMITTEE — Johnny Blount, Chairman, Paula Reynolds, Secretary, John Mann, Vince Taylor, Jeremy Fowler, Brian Winston, and Ronnie Murphy.
BEER BOARD — Steve Parker, Chairman, Bobby Argo, Secretary, John Mann, John Austin, and Larry Spencer.
RURAL FIRE COMMITTEE — Darrell Ridgely, Chairman, Jimmy McClure, Secretary, Bobby Argo, Johnny Blount, Ronnie Murphy, and Jeremy Fowler.
RULES COMMITTEE — Joel Washburn, Chairman, Randy Long, Secretary, Gerald Scarbrough, Paula Watkins, and Hal Eason.
SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE — John Mann, Chairman, Gerald Scarbrough, Secretary, Jeff Carter, Brian Winston, John Austin, and Steve Parker.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE — Gerald Scarbrough, Chairman, Manuel Crossno, Secretary, Willie Huffman, Paula Watkins, and Randy Long.
PROPERTIES COMMITTEE — Hal Eason, Chairman, Randy Long, Secretary, Brian Winston, Gerald Scarbrough, Willie Huffman, and Darrell Ridgely.
Other recommended appointments are: Library Board - Chris Rich, Robyn Hatler, and Lesley White; Indigent Care Board - Phyllis Smith, Meredith Surber and John Mann.
A resolution is on the agenda to amend the Civic Center budget by $4,800 is on the agenda. It will pay the county’s portion of the new director’s health insurance.
A resolution to amend the Sheriff Department budget in the amount of $75,194 to account for new student resource officers at Hollow Rock and West Carroll is also on the budget. The individual school systems reimburse the cost of SROs.
A resolution calls for the transfer of a $2,904.54 from insurance proceeds for damage to a sheriff’s department vehicle.
Commissioners convene at 7 p.m. Monday, October 14 at the Carroll County Office Complex Conference Room.

Carroll County, County Commission, Broadband, Proposal