WHITESTOWN, Ind. -- Whitestown Clerk Treasurer Amanda Andrews is apologizing for “confusion” surrounding accusations she’s not showing up for work at town hall while still collecting a paycheck from taxpayers.
Andrews took a full time job with Subaru in Lafayette starting October 27. Her hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The town, which has a population of 5,000 people, has town hall hours from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Andrews collects a $47,500 annual salary for the elected position, and is responsible for the accounting, collection, and disbursement of funds and the town’s financial books.
Around the time Andrews accepted her job with Subaru, Andrews posted a sign on her office door saying she was “shadowing other clerks,” which raised concerns among some town council members and citizens.
Last week, Call 6 Investigates requested a list of clerks Andrews visited and the dates of those meetings.
Andrews told Call 6 Investigates Tuesday she had planned to shadow other clerks, but did not end up doing so due to scheduling problems.
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“It appears I fell behind in updating that little dry erase board,” said Andrews in a phone interview with Call 6 Investigates Kara Kenney. “I can see why this is an issue now more than ever. I will make sure it never happens again.”
Town council member Dawn Semmler had raised concerns that Andrews’ office has been dark and her town issued car hasn’t moved for weeks.
Andrews also said Tuesday she plans to change her office hours to better assist citizens.
“I am still fulfilling my duties and am continuing to do so and I will also be updating my office hours accordingly for the public as well now that this has been brought to my attention,” said Andrews. “I want to say sorry for any confusion.”
The dry erase board has been changed to say “email me” and “call me” with her email address and phone number.
There’s no state law requiring clerk treasurers to work a minimum number of hours.
Whitestown also has a deputy clerk, hired in May 2015, who is budgeted for a $46,000 a year salary but earns $39,990.
Andrews took office in 2012, and taxpayers re-elected her on November 3 to a second term. Critics have argued she did not disclose her Subaru job during her campaign.
Andrews said she’s been in the her town hall office since she took the Subaru job, but has yet to provide Call 6 Investigates with a list of days.
“I’ve been in the office every day I’ve needed to take care of something that deals with being in the office,” said Andrew. “As for electronic communication, I do that on my breaks and at night for sure.”
Andrews hinted she’s thinking about resigning.
“I’m talking to the council to figure out what is going to happen,” said Andrews. “I am the clerk and will always be the clerk until you hear from me otherwise.”
A town council meeting is scheduled for Thursday night, and Andrews’ employment may be discussed.
The State Board of Accounts plans to audit Whitestown in 2016.
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