The matter, according to letters contained in today's meeting agenda packet, centers around a July 19, 2011, vote by the board of elections to increase its meeting compensation from $25 to $100 effective August 1 of that year.

State statute, according to a March 26, 2013, letter from County Manager Tony Brown to county board elections Chair Marilyn Harris — after the increase was discovered — says, however, the county board of elections shall be paid by the county $25 per meeting for the time they are actually engaged in the discharge of their duties, together with with reimbursement of expenditures as necessary and incidental to their duties.

“As you know, additional compensation for members of the Halifax County Board of Elections has never been requested or approved by the Halifax County Board of Commissioners. The Board of Elections had no legal authority to take this action.”

Similar letters were sent to elections board members Warnie Bishop and Sandra Partin.

The letter continues that, according to county records, board of elections members received compensation in excess of the statutory $25 per meeting.

Calculations by the county finance office show from August 1 of 2011 through November 30 of 2012, Harris and Bishop each received $1,625 in unauthorized compensation while Partin received $1,425.

Discussion during the board meeting centered on whether the county should waive the over-compensation or continue efforts to collect the money.

Board of commissioners Chairman James Pierce said it was his understanding that the stipends were procedurally approved by county administration and was included in the budget. “I thought everything was OK.”

While acknowledging he appreciated the work of the elections board, Commissioner Rives Manning said the matter came down to what general statutes said.

Brown said the finance office caught the adjustments in line items but were not detailed.

County Attorney Glynn Rollins said while the board of elections is a county board, county administration and commissioners have very little oversight of the panel. “They answer to the state board.”

Board member Carolyn Johnson made the motion to grant the waiver, which failed on a 3-3 vote, with Johnson, Pierce and Marcelle Smith voting for it and Manning, Rachel Hux and Vernon Bryant voting against it.

“We have a lot of committees and boards that receive no compensation,” Manning said. “The general statutes say it's $25 per meeting. I can't support it.”

A counter motion by Bryant to reduce the debt owed to $500 per each member failed by a 4-2 vote.

Smith said he voted for allowing the waiver because it was presented and included in the county's budget.

A repayment plan will be allowed.