BENTONVILLE — A Benton County jury recently found in favor of a local waterworks and sewer commission and its former director.

The Centerton Waterworks and Sewer Commission sued former director Jeff Coffelt for what it claims was an overpayment for vacation days. Coffelt, in turn, filed a counter lawsuit that claimed he was wrongfully terminated.

A jury last week listened to testimony and later found in favor of both the commission and Coffelt.

The commission voted to terminate Coffelt’s employment on Jan. 19, 2012. The commission claimed Coffelt had cashed in 45 days of vacation time in November 2011. The commission claimed Coffelt only had 30 vacation days available.

The commission claimed Coffelt was paid for 15 days he was not entitled to have, according to court documents. The commission paid Coffelt for the claimed 45 days at his gross weekly salary of $1,079.58 for a total buyout payment of $9,716.22. The commission claimed Coffelt was overpaid $3,238.74 for the 15 days, according to court documents.

Coffelt’s uncle, Melvin, sat at a courtroom table with commission attorney Howard Slinkard at trial. Melvin Coffelt is the chairman of the commission. Jeff Coffelt sat at another table with his attorney, Stephen Wood.

Jurors listened to employees and commission members who testified about the overpayment.

Coffelt testified that he has lost more than $100,000 in wages and benefits since he was terminated more than two years ago.

The wrongful termination concerned the Jan. 19, 2012, meeting where Coffelt was fired. Wood claimed the meeting violated the state Freedom of Information Act because the termination was voted on in executive session rather than publicly after the session ended.

The jury deliberated for several hours on Jan. 31 to decide the overpayment issue and wrongful termination matter. The jury found in favor of the commission on the overpayment claim and awarded the commission $2,159. The jury also found that Coffelt had been wrongfully terminated and awarded him $42,604.80.

Slinkard declined to comment on the jury’s decision. Wood said he and Coffelt were grateful for the jury’s decision.

Benton County Circuit Judge Xollie Duncan presided over the case.