Some answers should soon be on the way in the Orion Township investments debate, as an independent auditor will be examining township investment practices.
The Forensic Audit Committee, formed by the Orion Township Board of Trustees at their April 3 meeting, gave the board an update of their progress and asked for feedback at the May 15 meeting.
The audit, to be done by an independent agent, will look at the township investments, specifically commissions earned by Diane Young from those investments.
The issue dates back to December of 2004, and has created some tension among the township’s three full-time officials.
The issue was first reported by The Review in March, and a motion to form the committee, made by trustee John Stiemel, was approved by the board in April.
The committee, made up of trustees John Garlicki, Matt Gibb and Mike Gingell, created the report, and hope for feedback by May 26, to allow for preparation of a finalized document.
This finalized document, which will include a list of proposed vendors, will be presented at the June 6 board meeting for consideration.
The report identified the need to create a list of goals and objectives for the audit, prior to beginning the search for a vendor.
Some goals and objectives in the initial committee report included ensuring that the current investments are legal and that the board, along with the treasurer, supervisor and clerk, did not violate any township procedure or ordinance.
The committee’s report also provided some of the background information, and noted that including all of the pertinent background information could save the township both time and money in the long run.
‘We put it together ourselves rather than being charged for it,? Gingell said.
It was also estimated by the committee that the audit could cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars, though board members noted that it is premature to give any specific dollar amount before an auditor is identified.