The Clinton County Industrial Authority met last Thursday morning, February 17 with all seven members on hand.

The first item of business was to elect officers for the coming year and on a motion by Keith McWhorter, the board members unanimously voted to keep the same officers. They include: Jim Soma, Chairman; Keith McWhorter, Vice-Chairman; and Janie Gibson, Secretary/Treasurer.

After approving minutes, voting to pay claims and bills and approving the monthly expenditure report, the board entered into closed session on two matters, including litigation and discussing hiring an attorney for the IDA.

Upon returning to open session, board member Barney Latham made a statement motion “that because the Clinton County IDA has been informed by the courts that Outback Truck Center has filed bankruptcy, the assets of these entities has been distributed through the court system to the appropriate lending agencies.” The motion further noted that Outback Truck Center is now not an active loan for the Industrial Development Authority.

The motion passed unanimously with board member Lisa Beard abstaining.

The board, on a motion by McWhorter, voted to hire local attorney Terran Cross as Industrial Authority Board Attorney and to pay her a retainer of $250 per meeting for her legal services.

Cross becomes the first legal advisor to the IDA board in about a year, since current District Judge Scarlett Latham resigned after having served the previous two years as the attorney for the board.

McWhorter then recommended a resolution be made to Charlette Koger and Nina McIver, IDA Administrator and Assistant, for the good work they have done for the IDA board and for the USDA audit report recently received.

The next regular meeting of the Clinton County Industrial Development Authority is scheduled for April 14 at 11 a.m. at the Welcome Center and is open to the public.