Assessing a Possible Conflict of Interest
The incoming Center Township Assessor may be sitting on a potential conflict of interest. Eugene Akers was elected November 7 by a 12-thousand vote margin. However, Aker’s new job may conflict with his old job. He currently oversees custodians in the Indianapolis Public School District. He officially takes office on January 1st. By holding both positions Akers would be responsible for assessing property in the school district while still being on IPS’ payroll. IPS makes up about 48 percent of the average Center Township property tax bill. Numerous calls to Akers have not been returned. However a district spokesperson says Akers has told the IPS the Assessor’s office is a part-time job and he plans to stay. The Assessor job pays about $65,185 per year. That number does not include a possible three percent pay raise that may be voted on by the City-County Council.
Current Center Township Assessor Jim Maley was elected back in 1984. Up until recently he says he easily put in 40-60 hour work weeks. He says health problems have slowed him down. He would not comment on Akers.
Outgoing Lawrence Township Assessor Paul Ricketts says it’s odd that an assessor would hold two jobs which require full-time commitments. He also says the potential for ghost employment is also there.
Under Indiana law certain office holders can only hold one office at a time. It is a violation of the Indiana Constitution for an office holder to hold two jobs that are so incompatible with each other that they “create a conflict of interest or go against public policy.”
