County Treasurer office closed until bond paid
GREENCASTLE -- The Putnam County Treasurer's Office was closed Monday morning. It will remain so until the county pays the insurance company for the bond for new treasurer Sharon Owens.
Additionally, with no one bonded in the office, county payroll checks cannot be issued this Friday.
Owens appeared before county commissioners Monday, reporting to the board that until a claim submitted for the insurance company is paid, the treasurer's office has to be closed according to State law.
"The issue is that a claim was submitted from the insurance company two weeks ago and the county has not issued the check for the bond and until they do I cannot open the office. It is required under Indiana State statue that the county is required to pay the premium for elected officials bonds," explained Owens.
"The State Board of Accounts said the Treasurer's office could not be open without someone who is bonded in the office. That means checks can't be issued either because I can't sign them," said Owens, who just took over the office from Janet Deaton.
"I just got back from vacation and haven't had a chance to look over things yet," he stated.
Commissioner Kristina Warren told the group that the state had not had a similar occurrence and they recommend turning over the issue to the County Attorney.
Commissioners tabled doing anything until their next meeting on Jan. 19.
The treasurer's office will remain closed until Hoff and Owens work out what needs to be done to get her bonded.
Owen also asked commissioners to approve hiring a new first deputy for the office and changing the other deputy's hours to part time.
By making changes to office personnel, she believed the county commissioners would save $20,000 in their budget due to reduced or no benefits for personnel.
Owens was also able to cut about $30,000 from the budget in other ways, bringing the savings to about $50,000.
At the end of the meeting ,Owens reiterated to the group that until her bond was paid, the treasurer's office would have to be closed and no checks could be issued.
She also reminded them this was a payroll week for county employees.
Commissioners also voted on the organization of their board, naming Gene Beck as president and Warren as vice president.
Beck reported he heard from Roachdale ambulance service PMH about a concern with Operation Life (OL) not providing daily coverage in the town of Bainbridge from 8 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m.
Apparently, OL is only staffing the Bainbridge area one or two days a week.
PMH is concerned about not being dispatched in northern Putnam County when OL is not in Bainbridge.
Hoff recommended a meeting between all the parties plus one of the commissioners to hammer out an agreement.
Putnam County Highway Manager Jim Smith reported to the board the West Walnut Street project ended up costing $844,388.83. The projected cost was $881,715. The cost of the project was paid by INDOT.
The next meeting of the county commissioners is at 4 p.m. Jan. 19.