Indiana Apparatus Caught in Financial Quagmire

UNIONVILLE, Ind. -- Benton Township Volunteer Fire Department's shiny new $287,000 fire truck responded to four fires before being parked last month when officials learned proper purchasing procedures had not been followed.

It's yet another piece of fallout from the term of former Benton Township Trustee Heather Cohee.

Cohee resigned her elected position in March when a state audit accused her of misappropriating $97,000 in public funds she must pay back. A special prosecutor will determine if criminal charges should be filed.

The 42-year-old Unionville woman also faces unrelated drug and theft charges.

The most recent Benton Township issue centers on a 2011 Ford 4x4 fire truck, Model No. 550, purchased Dec. 28 with a loan secured from Peoples State Bank.

But there was a problem.

While Cohee properly advertised for bids, she did not advertise or follow through with public notice of a remonstrance period, required when a purchase is made that requires a tax increase. If more than 10 taxpayers in a township object, they have a right to attend a public hearing so their concerns can be heard.

"We were not able to find evidence that the process was followed," said Indianapolis attorney Steve Buschmann, who is helping the township sort out the mess.

Since there was no remonstrance time or hearing, the state Department of Local Government Finance would not approve the tax increase. And that meant there was no money to make the first of two $40,000 payments for 2012, which was due June 30.

The loan repayment schedule was $80,000 per year for five years. In comparison, the township's total debt appropriation in 2011 was $33,400.

"That is a large increase, especially for our taxpayers," said Michelle Bright, who was selected to take over after Cohee's resignation.

She and Buschmann are working with the bank to try to find a resolution.

"We are in discussions with them, but I cannot tell you where we will end up," Buschmann said.

For now, the fully equipped truck is parked inside a bay at the fire station. "At this point, I do not believe the township is out any money," Buschmann said. "It is sitting in the fire station, not being used. It is a much better one than they ever had."

Bright said the new truck replaced a 26-year-old vehicle. The department and its 16 volunteers continue responding to fires and traffic accidents with five other fire and rescue vehicles, Bright said.

"The fire department is a great group of dedicated firefighters who are committed to serving the citizens of Benton Township during this difficult time," she said. "Although their funding was greatly affected by the previous trustee, cut by 37 percent, they have continued to rise above and beyond the call of duty and contribute to the township's process of moving forward."

Bright said she and the township's advisory board members realize their firetrucks are dated and agree the township needs updated equipment. But first things first: The township has to climb out of a deep financial hole.

"We are working closely with the State Board of Accounts and the Department of Local Government Finance to return to a minimum operational level," she said, "at which point, we will address these issues."

McClatchy-Tribune News Service