Board approves $623,829.32 use-tax transfer, flags claims and sends an overpayment matter to executive session

At its Feb. 2 meeting, the Claiborne County Board of Supervisors approved multiple routine fiscal items and directed additional review of disputed claims.

Chancery Clerk Gloria Dodson asked the board to transfer January 2026 use-tax modernization funds totaling $623,829.32 from the Operation Clearing Fund to a Special Account Fund; Supervisor Hudson moved to approve and Supervisor Jones seconded. One supervisor registered a nay and said they were uncomfortable moving funds without clear, existing line items, but the motion carried.

Dodson also presented several other finance items: a Justice Court money report showing $19,228.75 collected in January; an Entergy donation directing $39,865.54 to a maintenance service contract line item; and a $5,000 budget addition restricted to election-support equipment for the circuit clerk. The board approved each item after motion and second.

During the claims docket review the president flagged multiple invoices for removal from the claims docket for further review, noting specific invoice dates and asking staff to pull claims 355, 396, 473, 605 and 610 for investigation. Claim 610 was described as involving an alleged overpayment of $10,000 to an employee; multiple supervisors said the matter should be handled in executive session and that the county attorney should advise the board on repayment procedures.

Separately, a request from a constable to serve tax-delinquent notices under Mississippi law (the constable cited Mississippi Code Title 25, Section 25-7-27) was approved by the board after motion and second. A small number of supervisors voted "nay" on procedural items, but multiple motions passed by voice vote.

Next steps: the county attorney will review the alleged overpayment and staff will provide requested claim documentation; the board recessed into closed session to consider several executive items.