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Commissioners hoping to resolve matter with CIC

CADIZ — The Harrison County Board of Commissioners are hoping to settle a potential legal matter with the Harrison County Community Improvement Corporation.

Earlier this year, commissioners hired Roetzel and Andress LPA to provide legal services on behalf of the board pertaining to an undisclosed matter with the CIC and its economic development. Due to the situation’s potential to become a legal matter, few details have been released. Commissioners previously stated the county is acting in the best interest of its taxpayers by ensuring economic development funds are properly handled.

A few weeks ago, Commissioner Paul Coffland said the commissioners’ attorney sent a letter to the CIC regarding a public records request along with a request to meet. Commissioners did not receive the response they were looking for.

“Part of this is why we’re having to seek outside counsel, because their lack of communication is evident,” he said. “It took over two weeks to respond and their response was that they did not have counsel and were seeking new counsel.”

Coffland said prior to receiving the response, the board was never informed the CIC was without counsel. However, he added that the documents requested do not require legal counsel and are “basic documents” that the CIC should be able to provide the board.

He said it has been frustrating to deal with the lack of communication from the CIC, and is one of the reasons the legal steps were taken.

“They are supposed to be our partner, our agent, and when we ask them to perform a duty, they are not performing it,” he said.

The county CIC met for the first time in more than a year Tuesday evening where the board hired legal representation. The CIC has been without counsel since its former lawyer resigned late last year, according to commissioners. Community Economic Development Executive Director Nick Homrighausen and CIC board members did not return emails or calls for comment on the matter.

On Wednesday, Coffland said he hopes to move forward with the CIC.

“I’ll speak for myself and not the entire board,” he said. “I want to see Harrison County move forward and the position I take is that part of that moving forward is economic development and what we can do to improve and further that relationship — that’s our goal. As long as we can come to an agreement and terms can be right that will benefit the tax payers of Harrison County then we can move forward.”

Coffland added that he is glad the CIC has obtained counsel.

“I’m glad to see there was some movement as far as the CIC in obtaining counsel and responding to our attorney’s request,” he said.

Commissioners Dale Norris and Don Bethel declined to comment further.

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