Candidate profiles: Auditor

AUDITOR

Vivien M. Bridges (R)

Age: 62

Education: University of Illinois and IU, accounting; auditor training seminars; payroll certification

Experience: 25 years’ experience in the auditor’s office: maintained ledgers, payroll manager, tax distribution, real estate, budget preparation

Web site: www.bridgesforauditor.com
Top Priorities if elected “Timely and accurate completion of all tasks; ensure the auditor’s office is in compliance with the State Board of Accounts; add to the staff professional accountants who are experienced in governmental accounting and have a good property administrator; set up a committee of realtors, abstractors, attorneys and title companies and meet with them on a monthly basis to assure auditor’s tasks are completed on time; keep auditor’s information current and accurate on the County’s GIS system; as a “service office,” provide information and data to the commissioners and council and all entities who do business with the auditor’s office.”

Amy Gerstman (D)

Age: 38

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, general studies

Experience: Deputy Auditor, County Council Liaison, Deputy County Recorder

Web site: www.amyforauditor.com

Top priorities if elected: “Ensuring financial data going to the public, the County Council, the Commissioners and various taxing units is correct. The general ledger must be correctly maintained, and there should not be multiple entries for the same transaction, nor should any transaction be without an entry. . . We must safeguard how these tax revenues are received and dispensed so they are distributed correctly. I will merge the positions of chief deputy and the financial director to reach a salary competitive enough to attract a CPA.”

Why running? “To restore public confidence in the Monroe County Auditor’s Office. To maintain open, daily communication with the County Council, County Commissioners and public.”