MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has spoken, stating it will not intervene to take over the Shelby County Clerk’s Office, amid months of ongoing frustrations.
A backlog of over 35,000 plates beginning in May, which Clerk Wanda Halbert said has been caught up on, but it lead to the office closing this week to address another one – auto dealer packets.
So what’s next to help properly serve taxpayers?
Shelby County Commissioner Mark Billingsley is calling the issue at the county clerk’s office “unacceptable” and a “bad precedent.”
“We have tried every option that we can at the local level,” said the commissioner. “When we came out of options, we appealed to the state. Ultimately, this is a revenue issue.”
Billingsley said it’s almost to the point now of seeking advice from a judge.
“It’s been appalling since the beginning of this that we haven’t had any cooperation from Clerk Halbert,” added Billingsley.
Friday the Tennessee Comptroller said “it’s a local matter,” declining to step in.
“I do understand the opinion of the state today however, there is revenue that comes from that department to the Department of Revenue," he said.
A lot of it, considering Shelby County is the largest county in the state with the largest amount of fees.
“By them not getting involved does that meant that they’re just going to abandon the revenue they get from Shelby County? I have a hard time believing that," he said.
Meanwhile, the Memphis Chamber is concerned about a backlog, apart from the tens of thousands of plates reported at the county clerk’s office.
“We have reports even until last year of in terms of the time it's taking for individuals to get certain functionality out of the clerk’s office, in particular business licenses,” said Bobby White, Memphis Chamber’s chief public policy director.
White said they aren’t easy to get, but instead slowed down as Memphis sees the most business applications in the country, according to Lending Tree.
At this point, voters and commissioners have two options left.
One a voter recall petition that would have to take place 6 months from now in February since Halbert has been newly reelected. The petition would require 15% of signatures of registered voters and then 50% of the vote to agree.
“It’s a lot of hoops to go through and it may not be successful,” said Billingsley.
Second, the Shelby County Commission could ask the Tennessee Attorney General if there’s been misconduct and if so, the AG could remove the clerk.
“If there are any elected officials or any government bodies that can help us with this issue I think they are welcome,” said Billingsley.
Billingsley added, “if this becomes systemic we are in for trouble and I think this is setting a very bad precedent.”
The clerk’s office will also be closed the week of September 19 to address those auto dealer packets.
ABC24 reached out to Halbert by phone for an update and has yet to hear back.
The current commission ends on August 29. Billingsley said he hopes the next can find a resolution.