MISSISSIPPI COUNTY JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE

CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County will join a class action lawsuit against the state of Missouri. The county claims the state is violating the law by requiring a pay increase for prosecuting attorneys.

The suit challenges a state mandate for counties to increase compensation for prosecuting attorneys in counties with state prisons.

The lawsuit, which is being organized by John Ballard, retired governmental affairs specialist at the University of Missouri, contends that the mandate violates the Hancock amendment, which prohibits state mandates requiring funds to be spent without providing the funds.

Mississippi county clerk Junior DeLay said Ballard "probably knows more about county government that anyone in Missouri."

Commissioners passed the motion to join the lawsuit in a meeting Thursday.