WALTHALL — Webster County has been reimbursed over $45,000 for the salary it paid former Sheriff Tim Mitchell while he was under indictment.
The Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 2 to accept the reimbursement of the double salary paid during 2019 to Mitchell in the amount of $45,161.46. This is full and final settlement of the county’s claim against Continental Casualty Co. of Chicago and its underwriter, Western Surety Co.
Mitchell, who was arrested nearly a year ago on multiple felony charges, pleaded guilty June 12 to two counts of embezzlement (of four firearms) by a public official and two counts of trafficking in stolen firearms. He was ordered him to resign immediately and received a 15-year prison sentence on July 30.
Andy McCants served as sheriff pro tempore from January until the Board of Supervisors appointed him sheriff June 17. In addition to paying McCants’ salary as acting sheriff during those 5½ months, the county had to pay Mitchell’s salary. McCants resigned Nov. 18 and Sheriff-elect David Gore was sworn in that day to serve the remainder of the year.
The board hired Lamar & Hannaford law firm of Senatobia on July 1 to represent the county in a claim to recover on Mitchell’s $100,000 surety bond for double payment of his salary and related costs. As previously reported, supervisors authorized board President Pat Cummings on Oct. 21 to sign a form releasing and discharging Western Surety from any and all liability on Mitchell’s bond arising out of the claim.
The amount paid represents the total amount in payroll expenses the county incurred for Mitchell’s salary and benefits while he was not actually carrying out the duties of his office.
Other Business
At the request of Tax Assessor-Collector Barbara Gore, the board voted to hire Robert Holt to Data Systems Management to reconcile the bank statements of the tax assessor’s office for the months of December, January and February only. He will be paid $125 a month.
Gore requested this because of the extra work during this period that she and her staff will be handling homestead reimbursement applications. She also noted that a new employee is being trained.
Additionally, the board voted to raise the salary of Deputy Tax Assessor Kristi Johnson to $2,200 a month effective immediately.
Other action taken by the board on Dec. 2:
• Voted to allow Sheriff David Gore to attend the Newly Elected Sheriffs’ Course Dec. 9-12 and Dec. 16-19 at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy in Pearl.
• Voted to spread upon the minutes a copy of the certificate of the Department of Revenue approving the real and personal property roll for tax year 2019.
• Voted to transfer $500 from each road district to the Blacktop Fund to cover the cost of erecting a shed at the District 4 barn to house the county’s chip spreader.
• Voted for District 5 to advertise a 1-ton Ford service truck for sale by posting.
• Voted to fill an abandoned well on Roy Smith’s property on Highway 9 North.
• Recessed until Dec. 4 to open bids for county depository for the calendar years 2020 and 2021 plus bids for goods and services for the next 12 months. The board meets again Monday.
Other Meetings
Minutes of November meetings show the board handled these matters on the respective dates in addition to previously reported business:
Nov. 18: The board voted to pay the sum of $5,240 to Henry Claude Henley, Camelia Leann Henley and Aidan Cook Henley to purchase 2.328 acres from them for right-of-way in an Emergency Road and Bridge Repair project on Lollars Grove Road and to purchase two temporary construction easements in regard to the same project. These amounts will be paid by District 4 from ERBR funds.
Nov. 27: The board voted to allow Coroner-elect Scott Dean to attend the 2019 Death Investigation Training at the MLEOTA on Dec. 4 and an associational conference in Jackson on Jan. 9-11.
Cumberland Fire Chief addressed the board about rated fire districts and Tom Booth addressed the board concerning the Mathiston Volunteer Fire Department dispatching policy.
