On an 8 to 5 vote, the Marion County Board is asking for Marion County Supervisor of Assessments Mark Miller to be investigated.
The action comes in the aftermath of a study that was critical on operations of the office released earlier and a failed vote at the last meeting to fire Miller.
The motion was made by Cody Rose:
“For the chairman to make a referral to the Illinois Department of Revenue criminal investigations to review the findings of the study, public complaints, and our tax documents here at the county, and see if there is violation of the law, if there’s fraud.”
Board member Deb Reed asked Rose if he wanted Miller charged.
Rose said, “I’m not saying that. I’m saying for the tax investigation experts to review what’s going on and see if there’s an issue, because there’s nine years of widespread bias, which is a violation of the Constitution. I don’t think anybody on the board wants to not do our job to oversee that.”
Rose said he felt the board asking for the investigation was better than having the request come from the public, which several said they would make.
The five members of the board who voted not to pursue the investigation were Tim McCance, Adam Smith, Debbie Smith, David Iossi and Reed. Reed initially wanted to abstain, but said if she had to vote she would vote no.
Two who addressed the board in public comment asked for a revote on firing Miller, but no revote was taken.
Miller was not at the meeting but told WJBD-WSIQ news on Wednesday that he welcomes the investigation that will show he has done nothing wrong.
Meanwhile, County Board Chair Steve Whritenour received the okay to work with Gary Twist, who conducted the critical study, on a plan to replace Miller as Supervisor of Assessments when he retires at the end of the year.
Board member Debbie Smith initially wanted someone other than Twist to assist the board on replacing Miller because she thought the study may have been politically motivated as a result of his friendship with a past supervisor of assessments. However, she agreed with the use of Twist after learning working with another consultant would cost additional money.
Marion County Board member Cody Rose. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
