From Staff Report

WALTHALL - Supervisors adopted Webster County's budget for the next fiscal year without any discussion after no one showed up for a public hearing.

The hearing was part of the board's Aug. 20 meeting. It was to be conducted in the courtroom but supervisors remained in the boardroom after a check upstairs revealed no one there.

The fiscal 2008 budget of $5.64 million will not require an increase in the millage rate, which will actually decrease 0.31 percent because of an increase in projected tax revenues.

Also last week, the board had an audit exit conference with Tammy Lantrip of Watkins, Ward and Stafford.

Board attorney Buchanan Meek Jr. read a letter from an attorney for Garan who was of the opinion that the company still owns the vacant Garan building in Eupora. Meek, as he has previously stated, said his research shows that the county and city now own the property. Meek said he planned to obtain an opinion from a title insurance company.

Toby Sanford, GIS analyst with the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, met briefly with the board regarding 911 addressing questions.

Supervisors Larry Crowley and Mart Salley were unable to attend but Crowley did participate by speakerphone from North Mississippi Medical Center.

The board meets at 8 a.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.