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Claiborne board orders reimbursement adjustments for election commissioners, agrees to advance per diem and uniforms
Summary
After the election commissioners raised questions about travel vouchers and per diems, supervisors approved reimbursement of adjustments, directed staff to adopt a prepayment per diem system, and approved uniforms for commissioners.
The Claiborne County Board of Supervisors voted March 3 to reimburse election commissioners for deductions made from travel vouchers, to move toward a prepayment per diem system, and to authorize purchase of uniforms for commissioners attending multi‑day conferences.
Kanita Anderson, speaking for the county’s election commissioners, said vouchers turned in for February travel were returned for correction and that reimbursements were reduced because county staff flagged meal allowances. Anderson referenced Mississippi travel rules (she cited the statute as "301Dash11Dash17" in her presentation) and said commissioners need written county guidance showing how the county expects vouchers to be completed. She also asked for a system that pays per diems in advance so commissioners leave with the allowable amount for meals and travel.
Supervisor Odom moved to adopt an advance per diem system based on state‑allowable amounts and to have the policy reflected in the minutes; Supervisor Chambers seconded. The board approved that motion. The board separately approved a motion to reimburse commissioners for the amounts that had been deducted from their submitted vouchers, with the chair directing staff to ensure the allowances follow the cited statute and to clarify procedures going forward.
Commissioners also requested clothing (three shirts, three pairs of pants and one jacket) to present a uniform appearance at conferences. Supervisor Odom moved to authorize the purchase and said funds should come from general accounting; Supervisor Chambers seconded. The board voted to approve uniforms.
During the discussion county administrators and finance staff were asked to publish a clear county policy showing how per diems and meals are handled when hotels or carriers provide meals and to adopt the approved advance per diem process for future travel. The board instructed staff to process the reimbursements on the current claim docket and to place the statute citation in the minutes for clarity.
