LETTER: Former treasurer supports Option B

I am writing to express support for Option B for Greenwood township. I was the treasurer for 3 years and am familiar with the job. I am also a retired CPA so I was qualified for the position. This past summer, I was brought in to help get the clerk’s accounting records caught up. It is not complicated accounting if you understand computerized accounting systems, payroll processing, the bank reconciliation process and basic accounting; however, if you have not had experience in those areas, it is like trying to read and write a foreign language. It is unrealistic to expect someone to walk in off the street and understand the clerk and treasurer duties. It is further complicated when the elected officials refuse to cooperate and help with training. As it stands now, the Greenwood books are not in balance as required by the state. The books have lost the details they used to have—laziness has created a lack of reliable information. Payroll is now one number—nothing in the financials will provide department information, PERA costs, tax costs, etc.

The current treasurer claims that he was not aware he needed to do the PERA reporting. Clearly, he has no understanding of the payroll process. The deputy treasurer refuses to run financial reports for the Chairperson stating that there is no statute compelling her to do that. The Chairperson needs them in order to prepare budgets. I provided monthly financials for the board, reconciled payroll, filed the payroll returns, did analysis to project future years financials and cash flows. I prepared the levy analysis and presented it at the meeting. I prepared a preliminary budget and worked with the board to finalize it. The current treasurer does NONE of this.  The current board has never received a financial statement, has no idea of monthly and year-to-date expenditures other than totals. If they want to know what a department’s costs were for a given period, the only information provided is a monthly claims report or sometimes a disbursements register. They would have to create their own spreadsheets when the data is (or at least should be) in the computerized accounting system (CTAS). This is not acceptable. The current treasurer and his deputy have made it very clear that they have no intention of cooperating with the board or clerk. It also appears to me that they do not have an understanding of accounting. The lack of disclosure is deplorable. It should not be allowed to continue.

As a manager, I tried to hire the best candidate for the job. It wasn’t based on who I liked the best. In my opinion, the township would be best served by finding qualified candidates. People that are there for a job and will do what is required. People that will work together. People that are helpful. People that are assets to the township. What a shame that we are in this position. I would encourage everyone to get out and vote and to make sure to vote in favor of Option B!

Pam Rodgers, Greenwood Twp.