Even though the City of Indianola Board of Aldermen voted unanimously on Monday night to enter into agreement with the Mississippi Municipal League to participate in the statewide debt collection process, the aldermen could only agree on a 4 to 1 vote over who should serve as the local debt collection coordinator.
The process, enacted under House Bill 683, would necessitate a city worker, serving as the local debt collection liaison, Langford Financial Services, LLC, the city’s debt collection agent, the MML and the Mississippi Department of Revenue working together to collect pass due court and water department fines and fees that are owed to the municipality.
The Mississippi Department of Revenue would subtract the amounts owed from the person’s state income tax refund.
It was originally proposed that City Clerk Lashanda Moore be tasked with the duty.
However, Alderman Gary Fratesi raised a question about how much additional work it would necessitate.
Mayor Steve Rosenthal indicated that he couldn’t ascertain how much work would be involved for the person in that position, but he assured them that the bulk of the work would be done by Langford.
Fratesi then asked Moore if she was okay with the added responsibility and she indicated that she was, as long as it didn’t incur a lot of additional obligations.
Alderman Marvin Elder suggested using Municipal Court Clerk Teresa Nolden in the position, along with some deputy clerks.
He insisted that it would be more feasible and would allow Moore to continue tending to her existing responsibilities. Citing that Nolden has also worked as a water department clerk, he said, “She’s the ideal person to handle that.”
When again asked about her thoughts, Moore asserted, “They’re used to this, I am new to it, so in that perspective I do want to see somebody else do it because I have a whole lot more to put a handle on.”
She asserted the need for her to be free to concentrate on all of the financials instead of just one aspect of it.
Moore said her main focus is to make sure it is all handled properly, “And right now I am so spread out to the point whereas I may not be able to focus on that like I need to.”
Moore told the city lawmakers that she and Nolden more or less are already working together and that anyone who typically calls about the matter will ask for the city clerk anyway.
According to her and Nolden, the municipal court submitted 3,228 pages of names of people who owed back-fines from 1995 to 2018 and 900 pages of persons with delinquent water fees.
When questioned about the extensive span of dates, it was said that a debt owed to the city stays on the books until it is paid.
However, Rosenthal explained that only those that have a possibility of being collected would be contacted.
Elder made the motion to appoint Nolden as the local debt collection coordinator.
However, Alderman Sam Brock interrupted the vote and said, “I think city clerk should be attached in that motion. If the city clerk is not attached, you don’t have check and balance, so you got to have that protocol.”
Elder argued that everything at the city hall comes through the city clerk anyway. Unrelenting, Brock insisted that Moore’s name be added as part of the motion. Elder did not amend his motion and it failed to get a second.
After a brief discussion, Elder then made a subsequent motion to appoint Nolden, but added, “With Ms. Moore being an advisor in support of the coordinator as the city clerk of Indianola.”
That motion was never seconded, so it too failed.
At that, Elder then remarked, “Sounds like y’all want a head on the chopping block.”
And again he pronounced Nolden’s experience and further stressed that they had already heard Moore’s opinion.
“So, what we doing?
Addressing his fellow members he said, “Don’t sit here and meet and then want to have a meeting after the meeting. Now, that motion should stay. Why are you playing games aldermen? I’m talking to every last one of you.”
Alderman Ruben Woods then rejoined, “Including yourself.”
Elder then expressed his dismay and called for the others to speak up.
“I don’t understand,” he said.
Alderman Darrell Simpson then asserted that he didn’t have a problem with Nolden being the coordinator.
“But somebody has to be over the whole thing as far as coordinator with MML, the legislature, Langford, whoever. Not that she’s going to do the work, not that she is going to make any phone calls or mail any letters or anything like that, but to make sure that it gets done.”
Then, Brock made a motion that Moore be appointed as the coordinator with Nolden as her assistant.
Elder articulated his objection to the motion, which initiated an exchange between him and Brock, which caused Rosenthal to rap the gavel to regain order.
Fratesi seconded Brock’s motion, the vote was taken and all voted yes except Elder.
