BAY SPRINGS — Collecting money owed to the county was the topic of concern for some officials in Jasper County.
In November, Justice Court Judge Marvin Jones told the Jasper County Board of Supervisors that tough economic times were affecting fine collections in the county. The judge said “tough times are resulting in less people paying their fines.”
The judge said justice court has not always had this problem. However, since the national economic crisis, collections have become a concern.
Then during this month’s meeting, an official with Southern Financial met with the board to discuss the manner in which collections are conducted.
Paul Amacker with Southern Financial, which has been contracted by the county to collect delinquent fines and fees, said his office was willing to accept partial payments for delinquent accounts. However, he was notified that the county could not accept partial payments.
“Times are hard and there are advantages to accepting partial payments,” Amacker said. “Very few people have money to pay the full amount. ... By statute, we can’t keep partial payments and we have to turn over to you.”
Therefore, he said, his company had some concern with the procedure that would be used for collections.
Southern Financial began collecting for the county in June.
Jasper County officials said the county turns delinquent accounts over to the collections agency in hopes of recovering some of the funds owed to the county.
Supervisor Johnny Rowell, president of the board of supervisors, said the county will work with the collections agency to make whatever adjustments necessary to make collections effective for the county.
“We realize that it’s hard times and people can’t pay full amounts,” he said.
Other supervisors agreed.
“We want you to collect everything that you can for the county. Anything out there that’s collectable we need to collect it,” Supervisor Curtis Gray said. “You can’t turn down any money during this day and time.”
Also during the Monday meeting, the board discussed solid waste, ongoing projects with the Rose Hill nutrition and fire station sites and the county’s insurance.
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Photo/Eloria Newell James
Jasper Co. supervisors focus on collections
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