Amboy treasurer hands in resignation: Board votes to keep auditor of 20 years

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AMBOY – The Amboy city treasurer unexpectedly resigned Monday night.

Doug O’Rourke handed his resignation to Mayor Frank Mekeel at the end of the council meeting. The letter Mekeel read stated that O’Rourke was tired of working with inaccurate figures.

His resignation is effective Nov. 1.

O’Rourke was elected to the four-year treasurer’s post in May, after Marilyn Lynch retired.

“I had a strong difference of opinion with the accounting practices,” O’Rourke said Tuesday.

He declined to elaborate, but did say he does not believe the city’s books were being handled improperly.

City Clerk Melissa Eisenberg said O’Rourke’s statement about skewed figures probably stemmed from his frustration with a computerized accounting program the city uses and the way revenues are disbursed.

“It can be confusing,” Eisenberg said.

City Attorney Matt Keegan is looking into the proper procedure for the board to name O’Rourke’s replacement. In most cases, that involves the board appointing an interim treasurer, then filling the position at the next election for the duration of the original term.

In other action related to finances and the city’s bookkeeping, the council vetoed the mayor’s suggestion that the city’s auditor of 20 years, George Roach, be let go in favor of hiring Clifton Gunderson of Dixon.

O’Rourke said the council’s decision to keep Roach had nothing to do with his own decision to resign.

When pressed for specifics, Mekeel said Clifton Gunderson would charge about twice the rate Roach has been charging. In exchange, the city would have access to an auditor who could be at city hall within an hour of being called, and would provide more reports than Roach has provided.

Still, the board overwhelmingly supported keeping Roach. Only Alderman Mike Willstead agreed with Mekeel that the city books “could use a new set of eyes.”

Roach “has always done a good job, and there’s no reason to get rid of him,” Alderman Hank Gerdes said.

“I see no reason to change,” Alderwoman Nancy Kelly said. “What he gives us for our money is good. He gives us more than we ask for.”

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