SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — The state of Tennessee is now getting involved in the problems facing the Shelby County Clerk's Office, saying issues related to the office's financial and operational management have been a great concern.
State Comptroller Jason Mumpower sent a letter to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and the Shelby County Commissioners Tuesday, Feb. 27, stating that he has asked Local Government Audit members to provide physical support to Shelby County to "perform the necessary reconciliations and reporting that the Clerk's Office has failed to accurately provide despite repeated requests."
Mumpower is asking Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert for full cooperation with the audit of her office.
The news comes as misreported revenues from the clerk's office are causing a major budget discrepancy that could impact everything from school to hospital projects in Shelby County.
Mempower said the Clerk's Office has not provided timely and accurate revenue reports to the Shelby County Trustee's Office, adding that giving reliable financial information is very important duty for the clerk and other county officials depend on it.
"The evidence of incompetence and willful neglect by management in the Shelby County Clerk's Office is overwhelming," Mumpower said in his letter. "I have no confidence in the Clerk's Office to manage its affairs without outside intervention."
Halbert's office faced a similar situation in 2022, when Mumpower announced an audit amidst delays in mailing out license plates and tags to car owners.