From the Northwest Indiana Times:
Lake County Assessor Hank Adams is blasting county and township officials for trying to spend $172,000 without his approval.
He objects to requests by Calumet Township Assessor Jacquelyn Collins, Ross Township Assessor Angela Guernsey and St. John Township Assessor Melody Kikkert to dip into money reserved for future reassessments to spend on overtime and part-time employees for this year.
Adams also clashed with Lake County Council President Jerome Prince, D-Gary, during a council workshop meeting when Prince refused to accept Adams' criticism.
Adams, the first Republican in half a century to be elected to a countywide office, complained the council gave his predecessor, former County Assessor Paul Karras, a Democrat, more employees and more authority over township assessors' budgets.
"I cover six townships as well as inheritance taxes, nonprofits and appeals from all 11 townships, and I only have 29 full-time employees. By International Assessors Association standards, I would have at least 70 employees," Adams said.
He said the Calumet Township assessor has 16 employees to cover only one township. The township already has enough money in its 2012 budget and shouldn't be asking for more, Adams said.
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Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/lake-county-assessor-clashes-with-council-over-township-spending/article_ca4f65d7-98ab-512e-8986-d1b2be5a865d.html#ixzz1rGtQvNw0
