Richland Township board member urges review of South (Whitco) library finances, alleges governance problems

Amani Wilkinson, who identified themself as a Richland Township board member, used the Board's public‑comment period to press Whitley County commissioners to investigate the South (Whitco) library's governance and finances.

Wilkinson alleged the library "accumulated accumulated 967 plus thousand dollars" in fiscal year 2025 and said it "currently have[s] about 2,500,000 on the books," while the library's budget is "a little over 800,000." Wilkinson characterized the appointment process as "taxation without representation," said board members are "handpicked" and "rubber stampers," and suggested an apparent conflict where a bank employee serving as the library treasurer may not be earning investment returns on the library's funds. Wilkinson said the money is "in an account drawing pretty much nothing" and contended that the library could be leaving "at least 50,000 on the table" by not placing funds in higher‑yield accounts.

The comments contained allegations of mismanagement and possible conflict of interest (Wilkinson referenced a bank employee who "works for the Crossroads Bank" and serves, as Wilkinson said, as a treasurer). Wilkinson said they previously served on the library board for eight years and argued the current buildup of reserves is excessive. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about who sets the library levy and about appointment processes; one commissioner said appointments are sometimes interviewed and that the county has recently appointed members to other library boards. No formal action was taken at the meeting in response to Wilkinson's remarks; the Chair said he would look into term expirations and appointment timing.