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Chickasaw council endorses three-month hire to collect $562,000 in court fines, debates court fund remittance
Summary
Mayor Tyran Colvin and Judge Harrod reported a $562,000 backlog in uncollected court fines and the council reached consensus to hire Randall Wheeler as a part-time court liaison at $16/hour for three months to improve compliance and collections; council also debated whether court funds should be remitted to the city general fund or remain dedicated to police vehicles.
Mayor Tyran Colvin and Judge Harrod led a discussion of court finances at the Chickasaw City Council workshop on Jan. 22, 2026, noting the court has approximately $562,000 in uncollected fines and that transfers of court funds to the City General Fund have not consistently been recorded. Colvin said, after consulting with current and former mayors and the League of Municipalities, that court funds are generally remitted to the city and do not independently determine their use.
Judge Harrod proposed appointing Randall Wheeler, a volunteer reserve officer with prior volunteer service to the court, as a court-appointed liaison to assist defendants with compliance and fine payment, with the position paid $16 per hour, without benefits, for three months. Council members discussed funding the position, alternatives to incarceration, and whether improved collection would alter city appearance and compliance. Mayor Colvin voiced support for the proposal.
Council reached consensus to hire Randall Wheeler on a part-time basis for three months at $16/hour. The council did not at this meeting adopt a change to the current method of remitting or using court funds; Councilmember Jennifer White argued for maintaining the funds as a dedicated source for police vehicle purchases rather than absorbing them into the General Fund.
Next steps: The council will proceed with the temporary hire, and the broader question of formally changing how court funds are remitted and used will be left for future consideration.
