False Information
April 24, 2023 at 9:33 p.m.
By -
I would like to clarify some false information published in the Times-Union last Friday.
The Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer’s office had a rough start to 2023 because the chief deputy quit, having given only three days notice on December 26. Bringing in new staff to learn a new job, and computer software and trying to finish out one year and start the new was a huge hurdle. The office has done very well for what we were left with. We will continue to receive training as this office is ever evolving and changing.
The year-end has been completed and was not filed with errors. The Annual Financial Report was filed in Indiana Gateway timely. I was told by the State Board of Accounts to make sure we get our report filed by the deadline. Revisions can be made to a report clear up until an audit is done.
Regarding the park grant application, if grants are filed correctly there should be no risks in qualifying for grant money. I recently spoke with a DNR representative about the park grant. I explained to him about our year-end difficulties and he said for someone from the park to call him and explain the details about the grant, and he could make some calls on behalf of the town. I called the Park President Kristie Maiers to offer to connect her with Greg Beilfuss, DNR planner representative, and she told me that she would handle it.
Regarding the payroll issues, the previous chief deputy who was doing payroll would have all payments to town employees by Friday morning. Without any training and vague directions on how to distribute payroll, we reached out to Keystone to assist us. All employees were paid their expected salary on paydays. Payroll was deposited by end of workday. I did not offer to pay any employees cash. This did not happen. We cannot offer cash to employees to make up any error in paychecks. An additional check would be issued to correct any error in payroll. There has not been any cash given to any employee or will ever be given by the town. The truth of the matter is that an employee reached out to me because they needed medication but did not have the money available in their health savings account. I offered to lend them my own personal money to help them, not the town’s funds.
It was discovered that during 2022 a town employee had not been charged for health insurance coverage. This employee’s health deductions have been corrected.
As bills come in, they are paid after the Town Council approves them. Invoices are processed when department heads turn them in for payment.
I am a clerk-treasurer who is detail oriented, fiscally responsible and committed to transparency and proper reporting. The town’s employees deserve to be paid on time with their benefits managed appropriately and residents of the Town of Winona Lake deserve a clerk-treasurer they can trust. I hope I can count on your vote May 2nd for Laurie Renier for Winona Lake Clerk-treasurer because I am here to serve our Winona Lake community.
Laurie Renier
Winona Lake, via email
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I would like to clarify some false information published in the Times-Union last Friday.
The Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer’s office had a rough start to 2023 because the chief deputy quit, having given only three days notice on December 26. Bringing in new staff to learn a new job, and computer software and trying to finish out one year and start the new was a huge hurdle. The office has done very well for what we were left with. We will continue to receive training as this office is ever evolving and changing.
The year-end has been completed and was not filed with errors. The Annual Financial Report was filed in Indiana Gateway timely. I was told by the State Board of Accounts to make sure we get our report filed by the deadline. Revisions can be made to a report clear up until an audit is done.
Regarding the park grant application, if grants are filed correctly there should be no risks in qualifying for grant money. I recently spoke with a DNR representative about the park grant. I explained to him about our year-end difficulties and he said for someone from the park to call him and explain the details about the grant, and he could make some calls on behalf of the town. I called the Park President Kristie Maiers to offer to connect her with Greg Beilfuss, DNR planner representative, and she told me that she would handle it.
Regarding the payroll issues, the previous chief deputy who was doing payroll would have all payments to town employees by Friday morning. Without any training and vague directions on how to distribute payroll, we reached out to Keystone to assist us. All employees were paid their expected salary on paydays. Payroll was deposited by end of workday. I did not offer to pay any employees cash. This did not happen. We cannot offer cash to employees to make up any error in paychecks. An additional check would be issued to correct any error in payroll. There has not been any cash given to any employee or will ever be given by the town. The truth of the matter is that an employee reached out to me because they needed medication but did not have the money available in their health savings account. I offered to lend them my own personal money to help them, not the town’s funds.
It was discovered that during 2022 a town employee had not been charged for health insurance coverage. This employee’s health deductions have been corrected.
As bills come in, they are paid after the Town Council approves them. Invoices are processed when department heads turn them in for payment.
I am a clerk-treasurer who is detail oriented, fiscally responsible and committed to transparency and proper reporting. The town’s employees deserve to be paid on time with their benefits managed appropriately and residents of the Town of Winona Lake deserve a clerk-treasurer they can trust. I hope I can count on your vote May 2nd for Laurie Renier for Winona Lake Clerk-treasurer because I am here to serve our Winona Lake community.
Laurie Renier
Winona Lake, via email
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