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Elected finance position is on way out
(by Sue Reid - September 24, 2008)
Elected finance position is on way out
By SUE REID
Bentleyville Mayor Leonard Spremulli introduced an ordinance last week that would turn the duties of the village clerk-treasurer, an elected position, into an appointed office of fiscal officer.
Voting in favor of placing the ordinance on first reading were council members Ned Sedlak, George Skipper, Joseph Maurer and John Bourisseau. Councilman Joseph Hudson was absent. Councilwoman Wendy Gillund opposed it.
Mr. Spremulli said his intention, if the ordinance passes, is to appoint village finance manager Bernice Schreiberto the position.
Former village Treasurer Dandridge S. Tomalin resigned from the position last month. No one ran for the office in the November 2007 election. Prior to Mr. Tomalin's appointment, the finance committee handled the duties of treasurer.
Ms. Gillund said her opposition with the ordinance had nothing to do with the "fine job" done by Ms. Schreiber or the village's finance committee. But by not allowing the position to be an elected one, "we are taking away the right of the voter to have an election or participate in the government" process, she said.
Mr. Spremulli said "the electorate has its voice." When elected officials make the appointments, "we are held accountable on Election Day," he said. "The electorate is not disenfranchised by not allowing" the position to be voted on, he said. "This appointment takes the politics out of the position."
Following Mr. Tomalin's resignation, Mr. Spremulli said he discussed the issue with the finance committee and council president. He said no one had taken out a petition for the position in the 2007 election and that, in a small community like Bentleyville, it's difficult to find someone with experience in municipal finance.
With regards to those who may have a question of oversight, "we have a vigorous" system in place, Mr. Spremulli said. "I find it oppressive, but I do think it's important that council took the lead in creating this type of oversight."
Ms. Gillund said she understands that Bentleyville is a small community, but she would like to at least try to see if there would be interest from residents for an elected position.
"We don't elect the police chief, building commissioner or village engineer," Mr. Sedlak said.
Mr. Spremulli said he would ask council at next month's meeting to consider suspending the rules and move forward with the ordinance.
Village Law Director Kenneth A. Schuman said it's within the Ohio Revised Code to give the mayor the ability to change the position from an elected to an appointed one.
Ms. Gillund also asked why the ordinance did not first go through committee, as is common practice in the village. "It gives us more time to research," she said.
While that is common practice in the village, Mr. Spremulli said, "this one slipped my mind."
Mr. Skipper asked about the residency rule.
Ms. Schreiber lives in Concord.
Mr. Spremulli said he plans to introduce a waiver of the residency rule at next month's meeting.
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