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July 22, 2005East Bay Township supervisor expects 'real ugly' meetingLile believes previous board spent entire fundByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - The bad news from auditors just keeps coming in East Bay Township. "I think we are financially in deep trouble," said Glen Lile, supervisor of the township in Grand Traverse county. Lile said he suspects the previous township board spent the township's entire fund balance in 2003 and 2004. Lile was elected supervisor in November, and initiated a series of reviews of township financial records. The township board scheduled a special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday to receive the 2004 annual audit. "It's going to be ugly, real ugly," Lile said. Lile said he spoke with the auditors but hasn't yet seen their reports. He declined to answer when asked if the township is in the red. The 2003 financial audit report showed the township started the year with a fund balance of more than $468,000 and ended with a fund balance of $135,000, he said. "I'm no accountant but I think that means they overspent their budget by $333,000," he said. Lile said he will also ask the board Monday to authorize a new accounting system that would marry the financial record-keeping of the treasurer with the clerk. The township currently uses separate systems. Both offices would then be able to review accounts and when either does something it will show up on a general ledger, he said. In March, Lile authorized a special forensic audit of the books after auditors discovered discrepancies that could not be explained. The results of a forensic audit resulted in the arrest of township clerk Jan Gee last month on charges of embezzling more than $19,000. After Gee's arrest, the board authorized forensic auditors to look deeper into township accounts. The forensic audit has cost the township more than $48,000. That report is due to be completed in early August. See Related Stories: East Bay assessor to be paid as fate is determined - July 12, 2005 Errors pile up in review of East Bay records - July 10, 2005 Public backs East Bay probe leading to arrest of clerk - June 28, 2005 East Bay Township clerk charged with embezzlement felonies - June 23, 2005 Township officials pushed for audit leading to Gee's arrest - June 23, 2005
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