State looks for payback from Wilson County

Wilson County courts have been improperly charging the state a fee for transporting prisoners, a fee that will have to be paid back.

During Thursday's Wilson County Commission Budget Committee meeting, the error and how to correct it was discussed.

According to Wilson County Finance Director Aaron Maynard, the problem concerns fees collected by Court Clerk Linda Neal's office. Maynard said a letter from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts informed the county that Neal's office was charging the state a $22 processing fee to transport prisoners from the county jail to a hospital.

The letter said the county was not supposed to be charging a court fee for these trips, and now Wilson County owes the state $140,000 to make up for the illegal fees. The committee was also informed the state has already withheld $38,000 from the county and is now attempting to collect the rest.

Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto said he discussed the situation with Neal.

"It was my understanding she was going to take care of that," he said.

Budget committee member Wendell Marlow said it would be best if Neal handled the problem.

"I move we allow her to opportunity to take care of it and let the finance director know when," Marlow said.

Neal said it was the way things were done since she took over the office

"I've been there 30 years, and that's the way I was trained," Neal told the committee. "It dates back many, many years."

Ultimately, the committee didn't take any action with the members agreeing that the next move was up to Neal.

Speaking after the meeting, county attorney Mike Jennings said the committee really couldn't do anything about the situation.

"They really didn't take any action. That would have to be her decision," he said. "They felt like the letter was to her, and that would have to be her responsibility."

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.