Incorrect Revenue Reports Put Shelby County Budget In Jeopardy

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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

Continued issues within the Shelby County Clerk’s Office have put the budget for the entire county at risk.

According to county officials, Clerk Wanda Halbert has filed at least three months’ worth of revenue reports that are inaccurate.

County commissioners say this could affect their plans to do renovations on Regional One Hospital and build two new Shelby County schools because they are not sure how much money has actually been brought in by the Clerk’s office.

County Clerk Regina Newman reported to the county commission last week. 

“We are looking into the situation and have attempted to get the information we need in order to accurately report what the wheel tax increase is bringing in so that it can be segregated for the purposes that it was originally proposed for,” Newman said.

A $25 increase in the wheel tax was passed last June to fund the new schools and hospital renovations. It was anticipated that it would bring in about $44 million.

County Commissioner David Bradford says that all of the reports show the same inaccurate numbers, and they have been unable to get clear answers from the office.

“We don’t know if we have enough money to fund those items or if our plan is not going to be effective because we don’t know what the data looks like,” Bradford said.

This is another issue in a string of complaints about Halbert’s office, including unexplained closures, long lines, and alleged failure to make rent payments.

Commissioner Mick Wright filed a formal complaint against the office in December, prompting an external investigation by Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp. That investigation is still in progress.