CHANDLER, IN (WFIE) -
The Town of Chandler is hiring a new person to handle the billing and collections for its utilities.
The new person would take over some of the duties of the current town clerk.
Chandler Town Council President says they voted to create the position of utility clerk last week to protect the town's funds.
"There were inconsistencies in some of the accounts, and basically we are waiting for the state to come in and do their audit," said Brian Lucas, the Chandler Town Council President.
The Town of Chandler is due for a state audit. An audit is performed on towns with less than 5,000 residents every two years, and Lucas says he expects an examiner to be in Chandler any day now.
"Until then, I think as one third of the council, I thought it would be probably in the best interest if we did that. Get somebody in control of the utility, taking in bills and getting everything ready for him to sign," Lucas said.
The new utility clerk will answer directly to the town council and collect payments from water, sewer, and storm water customers.
Lucas says the utility clerk will serve as a watchdog for the town clerk's office, relieving Tim Osha from the day to day handling of the utility's money.
"All the figures for the monthly billings would be figured out for him and the deposits would me made out and the checks would be made out, all he would have to do is sign them and deposit them," Lucas said.
Although everything will be prepared for town clerk, Tim Osha, Osha will still be in charge of the general fund. The salary for the utility clerk has not been established, but that money will come out of the general fund. Osha says he was surprised to learn of the new position since it will cost tax payer's money.
Lucas says it was necessary to make sure the town's funds weren't being mismanaged.
"Until we figure out where we are, what we've got coming in, what we've got going out, I think it's best to go ahead and have someone over it that is fresh, and can give us some accurate numbers until we get the state audit done and find out exactly where we are," Lucas said.
The new utility clerk will start June 18th. Town council will also be able to hire and appoint employees to serve the utility clerk.
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