Shelby Co. Clerk's office in Millington has been operating without lease, could get one soon

The Shelby County Clerk's Office in Millington could have an officially established lease next week if Shelby County Commissioners approve it. Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert does not support the lease, according to the land bank administrator.

Land Bank Administrator Esther Sykes-Wood said that in 2022 Millington drafted a lease and approved it in 2023 but it was not executed.

"This takes time to get all parties on board and signatures obtained," Sykes-Wood said.

Commissioner Britney Thornton questioned why the Commission would be paying for rent from January 2023 until now if there was no lease established prior to now. Sykes-Wood said that it is simply because the "landlord" requested rent, and they have to oblige.

The money to pay for the rent will be coming from the Clerk's budget.

The town of Millington asked for the clerk to set up an office in the suburb because it would serve their customers whose nearest clerk's office is at least a 30-minute drive.

Millington has been trying to get a lease for the space since 2023.

The lease will go month to month for three months starting after December 2024. Thornton asked why the clerk did not approve of the lease, but Halbert was not present to explain her reasoning.

Commission will take their final approval vote on July 22.

The Clerk's Office has had previous issues with leases. In November 2023, the Poplar Plaza location closed due to unpaid rent and not having a lease established. The closure of the office kickstarted the ouster investigation of Halbert, according to Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp.

The ouster petition was dismissed by the judge due to Wamp not having the standing to bring forth the petition. Ouster petitions must be brought by either the local district attorney, a county attorney or the Tennessee Attorney General.

The Shelby County Attorney's Office has hired Robert Meyers of law firm Glanker Brown to continue the proceedings, according to county officials

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Shelby Co. Clerk's office in Millington has been operating without lease, could get one soon