COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Council has voted to employ a financial advisor to help guide them through the 2017 budget process. The last-minute decision was made following a rocky 2016 budget process.
Bartholomew County auditor, Barb Hackman, had projected a shortfall of $1.5 million for 2017 before budget began, but then told council she used inaccurate calculations regarding dollars that would go to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. When it was decided to employ an advisor, Hackman protested to council members that hiring a financial advisor without her input is a reflection of lack of confidence in her office.
On a 5-2 vote, council agreed to hire the Reedy Financial Group for the 2017 budget process. Since 1995, the company has assisted municipal corporations with specialty accounting services in order to achieve financial goals.
Five days of budget hearings begin next week.
