The Lincoln County tax collector’s/assessor’s office has been sued by Bank of America, but county officials hope their countersuit prevails. 

The litigation was discussed at the Board of Supervisors meeting Monday morning.

County attorney Bob Allen said the bank foreclosed on a property that had a trailer home on it, and the bank wanted the trailer considered a permanent fixture on the land. Allen said the position of the county was that the trailer was not a permanent fixture, as the proper diligence of taking tires off the trailer and paying the $12 fee was not done.

The bank has filed a lawsuit to have the trailer declared a permanent fixture.

There are taxes owed on the property in the amount of approximately $7,900, and Allen said the county will file a countersuit to get the back taxes. Allen said the bank cannot put the property back on the open market unless the trailer is a fixture, but he said the decision to consider it not a permanent fixture will not be changed.

Lincoln County Justice Court judges were on the meeting agenda to be approved to attend a conference in Biloxi at the end of July with expenses paid, including lodging, registration and travel. The annual conference has been in their budget, which has already been approved, but the motion to approve the actual spending for the convention was approved by a 4-1 vote.

District 1 Supervisor Jerry Wilson said he voted against the motion because Justice Court Judges Joe Portrey and Chris King did not attend the meeting to request the spending approval in person.

“We asked them to come before us, at least I did. So I’m against it,” Wilson said. “We are elected, and we have to let the people know what we’re doing.”

Similar requests are included in the agenda and approved on a regular basis without personal appearances being requested or required.

Lincoln County Civil Defense Coordinator Clifford Galey said that there were a lot of people at Saturday’s Hog Wild Barbecue Festival, and that the word from this year’s 31 cooks is that they might increase to a group of 50 participants next year. Board of Supervisors President Eddie Brown said it a successful event for a good cause. The Hog Wild Festival is the largest fundraiser for the eight volunteer fire departments in Lincoln County.

Kelly Bessonette, 911 coordinator, addressed the board on the naming of a road at Old Highway 84 and Cripple Road. The Board of Supervisors approved a motion to name the private road, about 500 feet, Old Highway 84 Extension.

In other board business:

• Supervisors approved two 16th section land lease agreements — one on Highway 583 and one on Old Red Star Road.

• The board announced the date of the Ole Brook Festival, scheduled for Oct. 3.

• Supervisors announced that Miller & White will have a ribbon cutting June 26.