Supervisor David Wagner faces possible state investigation over ‘unauthorized compensation? in connection with the new township hall.
Independence Township Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to authorize the clerk to check into having Michigan Department of Treasury or Michigan State Police investigate whether Wagner had the right to pay Building Department Director David Belcher without board approval a total of $3,000 for his work on the hall. Trustee Mark Petterson voted against the motion.
‘I don’t feel there was a need to be investigate Wagner when we already know what is going on. We already knew the problems,? Petterson said. ‘Apparently everybody else has already done their own investigation, they already know the answer and certainly this doesn’t look very good right now. It makes no sense because the employee is paying the money back.?
Trustee Neil Wallace said at the July 7 meeting that both state law and Michigan Township Association recommended practice is ‘compensation for employees is determined solely by the township board.?
Wagner argued Wallace was only quoting part of the statute and they each interpret it differently.
The statute also states ‘while there are some exceptions for employees who are not under the direct supervision of the board, most salaries and hourly wages are determined by the board in the budget process.?
Wagner said department heads are not under the board, but ‘solely? under his supervision and that extra work above and beyond the general job description is warranted extra pay, which he said could be given by him or the township board.
‘The last time we did it, we went through the township board,? Wagner said. ‘Personally I thought it was an embarrassment, how it was handled, and in that case we also came in under budget, so I made the decision that I would compensate him as a general contractor that the board gave him the title of, while watching how much we were spending and how much time he put in and his efforts.?
However, VanderVeen said looking at the various statutes she couldn’t find anything to support Wagner’s ‘theory.?
‘Even if there is, in past practices it hasn’t occurred, those things have always come to the board during my tenure,? she said. ‘I think if we are just to let this go, I think we are setting a bad precedent and I think it needs to be addressed.?
Trustee David Lohmeier, asked how does the board prevent something like this happening again, even if the supervisor does have the power.
‘Clearly we weren’t supposed to be aware of this, there wasn’t a memo sent out when it was made saying ‘I’m going to give this bonus.? That’s something that is clear to me that you didn’t want people to know about it,? Lohmeier said to Wagner. ‘There is no check and balance in this whatsoever, there is no way for us to guard that the employees were treated fairly.?
Trustee Larry Rosso said he was concerned about the ‘ethical dimensions.?
‘I think it’s just flatly unethical, already I’ve had two directors come to me that are demoralized about this partiality in favoritism,? he said I do not believe in taxpayer’s money being used for bonuses.”
White Lake Supervisor Mike Kowall said he sees were additional compensation would be in line if Belcher was acting as general contractor, but suggested a similar situation was taken to the board prior then that already ‘set the precedent.?
‘We all live in a glass box and everything is up to scrutiny, I like to have everything out in the open and let everybody know what’s going on,? Kowall said. ‘I would definitely run that past my attorney or past MTA before I did that. You just got to be so careful with public funds.?
Director of Member Information Services for MTA Catherine Mullhaupt, said ‘There is always going to be the board voting to authorize the actual payment, the actual check, or electronic payment.?
‘The check is signed by the clerk to show the board authorized it and signed by the treasurer to make it money and disbursed,? she said.
Mullhaupt said the only exception where the board does not authorize the payment is the tax collection disbursement account, which the treasurer disburses according to state schedules.
‘As far as I am concerned my rights are to do what I did,? Wagner said. ‘I’ll stand by that and whatever comes of the investigation I’ll live with that too.?
The board also voted 5-2 for the $3,000 bonus be paid back to the township by Belcher. Wagner and Carson voted against the repayment.
‘That’s up to Mr. Belcher if he repays it or not, it’s strictly his call,? Wagner said. ‘My worry there is if he does, he is admitting to guilt, which he has no guilt, I paid him the money with all the right intentions.”