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Burns Harbor council approves temporary transition steps for clerk’s office
Summary
At a special April 22 meeting, the Burns Harbor Town Council authorized Deputy Clerk Maline Parker to sign checks and access Trust Indiana, approved Gateway submitter access for the board president if needed, and voted to contract with consultant Susan Ayala at $65/hour for 12 months.
At a special meeting April 22, 2026, the Burns Harbor Town Council approved several temporary administrative steps to manage the clerk‑treasurer’s pending departure on May 15. Council members present voted to authorize Deputy Clerk Maline Parker to be an authorized check signer on the town’s Horizon Bank accounts and to have access to the Trust Indiana account; they also approved a 12‑month consulting contract with Susan Ayala of Flex Local Government Consulting Service at $65 an hour and pre‑authorized the board president to obtain Gateway submitter access from the DLGF if the clerk‑treasurer is unable to perform filing duties.
The measures were presented by town staff as part of a planned transition after the clerk announced a resignation had been filed with the clerk’s office. Staff told the council Maline Parker is already bonded as deputy and asked that the council also authorize a signature stamp to be used only with written permission when the deputy is absent. The DLGF process for Gateway access was summarized: the board president would request submitter access by emailing the DLGF support contact with contact information and the circumstances requiring access.
Council members moved and voted on each item; the motions carried unanimously among those present. During discussion of the consulting contract, a council member noted a concern about an arbitration clause in the draft contract, and staff said the arrangement is intended to be case‑by‑case consulting with remote assistance available via TeamViewer. The hourly rate for the consultant was stated as $65 an hour.
Staff also placed on the record that the clerk’s resignation had been filed and invited interested parties to contact the chair or Don Craft about filling the seat. The clerk said a brief follow‑up meeting would likely be scheduled next week to approve minutes so that certified minutes could be taken to the bank to complete the account authorization changes. The council adjourned after taking the votes.
Votes at a glance • Authorize Deputy Clerk Maline Parker as check signer (Horizon Bank) and access to Trust Indiana — Passed (council members present voted yes). • Grant the board president Gateway submitter access if needed for transition — Passed (council members present voted yes). • Approve 12‑month contract with consultant Susan Ayala, Flex Local Government Consulting Service, at $65/hour — Passed (council members present voted yes).
Next steps noted by staff: the town will arrange for a brief special meeting to approve minutes needed for bank account updates and will solicit candidates for the clerk‑treasurer vacancy by directing them to the chair or Don Craft.
