TEXARKANA - Miller County Deputy Tax Collector Mary Kay Hicks was appointed Thursday to fill the unexpired term of former Miller County Tax Collector Melissa Barnes, who resigned.
Hicks was appointed Thursday evening by Miller County Quorum Court after a meeting called due to the resignation of Barnes on Jan. 28.
Two other women, who verbally applied for the job, were Diane Pritchett and Carmen Phillips Slater.
The justices of the peace convened in executive session to allow each applicant to explain why she should be considered for the position, which has an annual salary of $38,934.
The vote to name Hicks as the tax collector was unanimous. Justice of the Peace Ernest Pender was absent.
Hicks started working in the tax collector’s office in 1999, when Shirley Keller was the tax collector, and has a total of 15 years of experience in the collector’s office. She was appointed chief deputy tax collector by Barnes in 2011.
Hicks will serve as tax collector until Dec. 31, when the term expires.
Pritchett has worked with direct sales and operated a jewelry business for 20 years.
Slater has worked in retail sales and accounting with Crafts Etc. She also has her Texas real-estate license.
Barnes pleaded guilty to theft of property charges and abuse of office Tuesday and was sentenced to 14 days in the county jail, 10 years of probation and a fine.
Barnes was assessed a $2,500 fine, and $1,900 was seized from her on the day she was arrested, Dec. 26.
Restitution will be determined.
The abuse of office charge was a misdemeanor, and she received 90 days of probation.
Barnes pleaded guilty to stealing payments made by Miller County residents toward property or other taxes and using a county-issued Sam’s Club credit card to buy $11,887.32 in gas, food and prepaid debit cards she used for personal benefit.
Arkansas, Pages 9 on 02/10/2014