Shawnee County Commissioners are proposing changes to who handles money in the county. Chairman Vic Miller has presented a proposal to merge the treasurer's office and audit-finance department.
Currently, the treasurer's office and audit-finance are separate departments. Miller says they do some of the same things and should be merged into one department.
There are also concerns right now surrounding current treasurer Larry Wilson. Wilson was supposed to submit a report to the commissioners last month, but he still hasn't turned it in. The new proposal would make the treasurer an appointed position.
The public got a chance to weigh in Thursday. At a public hearing, most citizens said voting on the treasurer is a right they want to keep.
“You're taking something away from me,” Jack Alexander, a Shawnee County resident said. “That's why I rise, because I appreciate an opportunity to vote yay or nay on those people who represent me.”
The commissioners have not scheduled a vote yet. If two of the three commissioners agree with the proposal, voters will see it on the ballot next year; then, they'll decide if the treasurer will continue to be elected or will switch to an appointed position.
Reporter: Jennifer Trammell
Photographer: Rocky Arnold
