A Samson Housing Authority employee has hired an attorney to bring up labor concerns and other grievances with the board.

News 4's Denise Bradberry was at last night's heated meeting when attorney Laura Wyrosdick handed over their written arguments.

Jennifer Reid, the Section 8 Coordinator for the Samson Housing Authority says she and one other employee's hours are being reduced from 40 to 32 because of federal funding cuts.

"Under fair labor standards act she cannot be forced to perform her duties that require her 40 hours of work in 32 hours. They're violating federal law,” says Reid’s attorney, Laura Wyrosdick.

Wyrosdick says Reid offered the board a number of solutions that would keep everyone's hours.

One of those suggestions was to use a funding surplus from a public housing sector.

"Public housing now is covering utilities and other kinds of expenses but public housing seems to have a problem with paying my client for 40 hours," says Wyrosdick.

Wyrosdick also presented the board's attorneys with research she says shows the housing authority is renting in unincorporated Coffee County without the county’s representation on the board.

Coffee County Administrator Cathy Lolley says they're currently still looking into whether or not there has been an agreement between the two agencies in the past.

"I expect to be in touch with the proper authorities in Coffee County on Monday," says Wrosdick.

The board discussed the issues privately with their attorney in executive session and returned an hour later for board member Sammy Whigham to say “We’ve received a report of council and we've reviewed all information provided by her attorney. I need a motion board to present Jennifer Reid with a written report within ten calendar days from today and based on our problem resolution number 712 item 6 and with this motion, make it a two part that we will reconvene on Thursday night December the 17th at 7:30 and we'll have a special meeting to vote on this resolution, this matter.”

Housing authority attorney Thomas Eden denied any further comment on the matter.