State adjusts finance plan for Mason; NAACP drops suit

The Town of Mason has a much easier path to regaining control of its finances after the NAACP and the state Comptroller’s office came to an agreement in recent days that was announced on Wednesday.

In addition to the agreement and adjusted plan for Mason, the NAACP has dropped its lawsuit against the Comptroller’s office.

According to Van Turner, an attorney who is also the president of the Memphis chapter of the NAACP who was involved in the filing of the lawsuit, the adjustments have five aspects to them that work in Mason’s favor: h The town preserves its charter h Payments made to water-sewer fund were cut in half and will be made over a longer period of time

h The $100 expenditure cap requiring approval by the Comptroller is increased to $1,000

h Weekly obligations to request approval for planned expenditures will now become monthly obligations with a CPA involved for more immediate discussion

h The Comptroller’s oversight of the town’s finances has been reduced to four months from two years

Turner was on a virtual press conference to address the situation with Gloria Sweet-love, the president of the Tennessee NAACP along with national NAACP officials including senior legal counsel Anthony Ashton and president Derrick Johnson.

All those who spoke celebrated the victory for Mason as they said communication from the Comptroller’s office in February in which a letter from Comptroller Jason Mumpower was mailed to every citizen in Mason encouraging them to push for the town to relinquish its charter.

The town’s Board of Aldermen voted on March 14 not to relinquish the charter, which essentially ended that part of the dispute because the Comptroller has no authority to take the charter.

The other option was to take over the town’s finances, which Mumpower was set to do in April before the NAACP filed the lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court.

“Mason’s agreement to a new corrective action plan is a significant step in restoring the town’s financial health,” Mumpower said in a statement on Wednesday. “By agreeing to change its practices and work with our office, Mason will operate on a balanced budget, work toward correcting its audit findings, and eliminate improper borrowing.

“Most importantly, if Mason follows this plan, taxpayers can know their leaders are being good stewards of their money.”

According to Turner, Mason owes its water-sewer fund $248,656 and is set to pay $5,180.73 per month for 48 months beginning May 20. The original agreement had the town paying more than $22,000 per month for two years.

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jseditorbrandon or on Instagram at editorbrandon.