Calhoun County Supervisors approved 10-year tax exemptions for new equipment installed at two different plants in the county at Friday's meeting of the board.
Furniture Wood in Vardaman and Weyerhaeuser in Bruce were both granted the exemptions. Sam Agnew with Furniture Wood filed the request with the county saying they employ just over 150 people and have an annual payroll over $3 million.
Monte Simpson with Weyeraheuser asked for the same exemption for the Bruce mill which has invested nearly $25 million in new equipment this past year. He said the Bruce mill employs over 170 people.
"I'd like to express our gratitude for considering our tax exemption," Simpson told the board. "These upgrades will help us weather the ups and downs in the market."
During questioning from the board, Simpson described the current lumber market as "stable."
"It's definitely better than three years ago. We'd love for it to pick up greater than it has."
Housing is coming back a little bit, he said, but noted the "terrible winter weather" in the Northeast has slowed the housing market in that part of the country, which Weyerhaueser depends on.
Both tax exemption applications were approved unanimously by the board.
In other news, Sheriff Greg Pollan reassured the board the statewide issue of inmate work programs has no bearing on Calhoun County.
"We don't have state inmates," Sheriff Pollan said. "I'll give credit where credit is due. Sheriff Gore got rid of them years ago for whatever reason and I've continued that plan. We have our own Calhoun County inmate work force. We try to keep 20 in cell 13. That's the one that does the garbage. Vardaman, Calhoun City and Bruce are working them now and you guys do. We're going to continue to have our work program as long as you guys help me support it like you have."
"What's going on with MDOC and their issues and the 37 sheriffs having problems with it, it's not going to affect Calhoun County," Pollan said. "You're garbage trucks will still have workers and we'll still be picking up trash on the sides of the roads."
The board approved a request from the sheriff to repair a leaky roof and some gutter issues on the sheriff's department building for approximately $1,500.
The board approved a $3,000 appropriation for each volunteer fire department in the county.
Circuit Clerk Carlton Baker told the board his office is required to be open July 4 from 8 a.m. until noon for voter registration. That is the last day for people to register in time to vote in the Aug. 4 primary. The courthouse is scheduled to be closed on July 3.
The board rejected a pair of quotes for a new garbage truck due to the proposed trucks not meeting the specifications the county needs.
Supervisors visit at the conclusion of Friday's meeting.