Circuit Clerk-elect Jan Hyland Daigre was sworn into office in a swiftly arranged ceremony Monday afternoon amid a rapid transition of power that continues this week.

Last Tuesday’s election results were certified as of the close of business last Wednesday and an application for a public surety bond on the new clerk was in process, Chancery Clerk Donna F. Hardy told Warren County supervisors Monday.

Daigre, 53, defeated interim clerk Greg Peltz in last Tuesday’s special election to fill the rest of the current term. Peltz was appointed to the office in May after former clerk Shelly Ashley-Palmertree was removed from office. Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick administered the oath of office to Daigre.

Peltz, 67, appeared before supervisors near the end of their regular meeting Monday to thank them for appointing him and for a general update on his status.

“I thank you for the opportunity to serve,” Peltz said. “When do you want me to vacate the office?”

Results showing Daigre’s nearly 2-to-1 win at the polls were certified just before the Thanksgiving holiday, further slowing a process inherently unique because it was a turnover to the office following a special election. Supervisors told Peltz to stick around Monday to keep office business in progress.

“It’ll give Greg time to finalize his monthly reports,” District 1 Supervisor John Arnold said.

Palmertree is serving a five-year jail term for embezzling funds from office bank accounts that hold fees, fines and money owed to victims in civil and criminal cases. She’s also the subject of ongoing civil litigation in Hinds County Chancery Court involving more than $1.04 million in payments deemed questionable by state auditors and the county.

In Mississippi, circuit and chancery clerks are the highest-paying jobs in county government. Base salaries for each are capped at $90,000 by the Legislature.

Circuit Clerk maintains all court records, filings, paper and accounts for all court costs, fees, fines, and assessments for Circuit Court, County Court and Youth Court.

In addition, the office keeps marriage licenses, jury lists, civil and criminal trial dockets and licenses for doctors and other professionals.

During elections, the office serves as the registrar of voters and assists with elections. Candidates for county-level offices turn qualifying papers in to the office.