July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Police probing Bryant audit (03/04/2009)
By By STEVE GARBACZ-
The investigation continues but no charges have been filed against a former Bryant Clerk-Treasurer following an Indiana State Board of Accounts audit released in February.
The audit report released Feb. 5 showed 18 violations for the Town of Bryant during the two-year term of Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Elzey, who served through the end of 2007.
The State Board of Account alleges that Elzey owes the Town of Bryant $2,682.71 from salary overpayments to herself that were not re-paid, a number of deposits not made in town accounts, more than $1,000 in overdraft charges on town checking accounts, and penalties and interest paid due to mismanagement of town funds.
The Jay County Prosecutor's office said this morning the matter is currently under investigation by the Jay County Sheriff's Department.
Jay County police investigator Todd Penrod confirmed that he's handling the investigation, but declined to release details.
"These kind of cases take a while," he said. "There's a lot to go through. All I can say is we do have the case."
In Bryant, town council president Jason Meinerding reviewed the audit report with the public during a meeting of the council Tuesday evening, explaining the money was owed to the town due to "incompetence" on the part of the former Clerk-Treasurer.
In an effort to cut down on mistakes, Meinerding introduced new practices to be observed every council meeting.
"We want to make sure it doesn't happen again ... after the four of us are gone," he said, speaking of himself, current Clerk-Treasurer Peggy Smitley and the other two members of the council.
Meinerding asked that at each meeting the council be given copies of the town's bank statements and credit card reports on top the usual town fund report and claims. He also said the board will make a few extra copies and pass them out to the residents on hand for review and allowing questions at the end of the meeting before paying claims and adjourning.
Meinerding also suggested that deposits be made on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule or more often to avoid problems with checks and cash sitting around for more than 48 hours - an area cited by the State Board of Accounts.
"I love this monthly oversight," said council member Warren Boice.[[In-content Ad]]
The audit report released Feb. 5 showed 18 violations for the Town of Bryant during the two-year term of Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Elzey, who served through the end of 2007.
The State Board of Account alleges that Elzey owes the Town of Bryant $2,682.71 from salary overpayments to herself that were not re-paid, a number of deposits not made in town accounts, more than $1,000 in overdraft charges on town checking accounts, and penalties and interest paid due to mismanagement of town funds.
The Jay County Prosecutor's office said this morning the matter is currently under investigation by the Jay County Sheriff's Department.
Jay County police investigator Todd Penrod confirmed that he's handling the investigation, but declined to release details.
"These kind of cases take a while," he said. "There's a lot to go through. All I can say is we do have the case."
In Bryant, town council president Jason Meinerding reviewed the audit report with the public during a meeting of the council Tuesday evening, explaining the money was owed to the town due to "incompetence" on the part of the former Clerk-Treasurer.
In an effort to cut down on mistakes, Meinerding introduced new practices to be observed every council meeting.
"We want to make sure it doesn't happen again ... after the four of us are gone," he said, speaking of himself, current Clerk-Treasurer Peggy Smitley and the other two members of the council.
Meinerding asked that at each meeting the council be given copies of the town's bank statements and credit card reports on top the usual town fund report and claims. He also said the board will make a few extra copies and pass them out to the residents on hand for review and allowing questions at the end of the meeting before paying claims and adjourning.
Meinerding also suggested that deposits be made on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule or more often to avoid problems with checks and cash sitting around for more than 48 hours - an area cited by the State Board of Accounts.
"I love this monthly oversight," said council member Warren Boice.[[In-content Ad]]
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