A recent series of articles published in the Post-Tribune of Northern Indiana calls Auditor of State Tim Berry to task on a calculation mistake that will have a deep impact on the City of Gary.
According to the publication, the miscalculation will likely mean the already cash-strapped Gary will need to return $7.6 million dollars. The deepest impact will likely be felt by Gary’s public transit system, sanitation district, and school district.
The article says that local officials believe a formula designed by a private consulting firm was not used as specified, causing Auditor Berry and Indiana’s Distressed Unit Appeals Board to authorize a larger disbursement than appropriate.
The full text of the article may be read here.
How did two State agencies and a private consulting firm overlook a $7.6 million dollar error? Perhaps the old adage of “too many cooks in the kitchen leads to a mess” is true in this instance. I believe government reform efforts in Indiana need to start at the top – there are too many costly and overlapping finance panels and many are good at pointing the finger at each other, but few are good at working together. With basic communication and collaboration, this costly mistake impacting the citizens of Gary could have been avoided.
This error highlights the impact the often overlooked State Auditor’s position has on Hoosiers and illustrates the need for innovation and transparency with our State’s fiscal policy.
Join my campaign to modernize the Auditor’s Office and help stand-up for the City of Gary by making a symbolic contribution of $7.60, signing up for email updates, or joining our Facebook group.
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