Committee to probe school-district tax billing error after district representatives fail to appear

Committee members raised a tax-billing discrepancy that appeared in a prior audit and asked staff to investigate. Arda and other members said the issue likely stems from tax rates not being set correctly for certain levies at Otter Creek and Streeter High School; Peru Elementary was identified as having been affected but its issue was caught before bills were issued.

Jennifer (the county clerk) and staff said they did not have full details available at the meeting and that the auditors (Mac and Associates) likely have the detailed records. The district representatives who requested to appear did not attend; members directed staff to gather documents, consult the audit workpapers and bring findings to the committee next month.

"If that was the 2023 audit, that was prior to me taking office," one official said, noting a need to review records rather than make immediate determinations. The committee offered to schedule the district when representatives are available and requested staff prepare the historical records to clarify whether and how amounts will be recouped or prorated.