AUDIO: Kalamazoo County board appears happier with treasurer

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM)  —  The Kalamazoo County board appears happier with the county treasurer now than they were when the year began.

Back then they had just been informed that their books were in disarray due to a change in their computer program, staff changes, and new state requirements for accounting.

Earnings from investments were also way down, and had not been reported for months.

Since then, with the help of outside accountants and new staff, their finances are back in order and investment income is way up.

Board Chair John Taylor says Treasurer Thomas Whitener and Assistant Treasurer Tyler White gets the credit.

Commissioner Jen Strebs, one of the department’s tougher critics, is also happier with the results.

Some board members had been looking for ways to replace Whitener but because he was elected separately, only the voters can do that.