Genoa Township Board considers third-party exam of clerk's actions
GENOA TWP. - Members of the Genoa Township Board, during their Monday meeting, voted to consider hiring an independent third party to investigate Clerk Polly Skolarus’ request for reimbursement of $5,000 in legal fees, as well as other issues.
Skolarus, a Republican, had asked the board for the reimbursement following her acquittal in April on a misdemeanor election-related charge. A district court jury acquitted her in connection with the claim that following the November 2020 election she used unapproved ballot containers.
“Obviously, there were members of the township board who disagreed with the jury, related to the court's decision where they found me not guilty, and they're still looking to find me guilty of something,” Skolarus said.
A discussion about the reimbursement request took place Monday. According to Skolarus, Treasurer Robin Hunt suggested a third party be hired to investigate the clerk's request.
Hunt made a motion to place an item on the board’s June 6 meeting agenda to consider hiring independent legal counsel to investigate the request was made. Skolarus said the vote was 5-0, she abstained. Trustee Jim Mortensen was absent.
Hunt did not return a message Tuesday seeking comment.
According to Skolarus, the investigation, if approved, would include her request for reimbursement of attorney fees and costs, but also her alleged mistreatment of employees, potential Open Meetings Act violations, and any other matters of impropriety or misconduct by the clerk. A report and recommendations would be provided to the board after the investigation.
"I’m actually really happy that they're doing this because, maybe, we can put this behind us,” Skolarus said.
Since being charged in March 2021, Skolarus has been stripped of multiple duties.
Skolarus received a directive from Jonathan Brater, director of elections with the Michigan Department of State, that she was forbidden from a number of duties, including, voter registration and routine list maintenance; preparation, issuance and processing of ballots (including absent voter ballots) and absent voter ballot applications; ordering or assembling election supplies and precinct supply kits; and recruiting.
In addition, she was ordered not to place or train election inspectors; conduct logic and accuracy testing; voter registration between the 14th day prior to Election Day and the close of polls; handle any Election Day issues that may arise; generation of unofficial election results; and work with the County Clerk's office through the post election canvass process, according to the directive.
Since Skolarus was acquitted of the election charge, those Secretary of State issued orders have been rescinded, state officials said Tuesday.
Township board members have expressed concerns about Skolarus previously.
The township board denied her a pay raise last year for the remainder of her term or until the date of her resignation, whichever occurs first, according to Hunt, during the March 15, 2021, meeting. The decision was based on what board members called Skolarus' irresponsible behavior, abuse of office, malfeasance, and putting the integrity of the township at risk.
In addition, members of the township board have previously expressed concerns about the accuracy of meeting minutes taken by Skolarus.
During the Nov. 1, 2021, meeting, Supervisor Bill Rogers said he was concerned when Skolarus sent the minutes to all of the board members. He said doing so is a violation of the Open Meetings Act and that meeting minutes are supposed to be corrected at the table.
At the same meeting, township Manager Michael Archinal raised concerns about not having his responses included in the meeting minutes and stressed that discussions needed to be recorded.
Trustee Jean Ledford also presented concerns about how many times the meeting minutes have needed to be amended since the July 6, 2021, meeting.
In April 2022, the board voted to hire a recording secretary to draft the board minutes.
Contact Livingston Daily reporter Patricia Alvord at palvord@livingstondaily.com about news coverage.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Genoa Township Board votes to consider third-party exam of clerk
