A key employee in Carmel’s office of the clerk-treasurer was fired April 17, much to the surprise of other city officials.
Ann Bingman had been serving as Carmel’s director of internal controls since February 2016. She declined to comment about her termination, but city spokesman Dan McFeely called the news “disturbing.”
“This was disturbing news because Ann is one of the most knowledgeable employees the City of Carmel has when it comes to dealing with complicated financial issues – and the City of Carmel is in the midst of its annual audit by the State Board of Accounts,” he said.
City Council President Jeff Worrell said he has concerns about how the audit will be completed without Bingman’s position being filled. He said the city council could address the issue at a future meeting.
“Right now I’m trying to figure out if there is anything the city council can do to make sure we know the full scope of the situation and how are we going to protect the interest of the residents and the citizens in order to get through this audit, which having participated in the intake meeting, it’s a very serious thing,” he said. “We just got our first (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) done last year. We went through a whole lot getting things caught up from previous administrations, and I don’t want to take a step back.”
Clerk-Treasurer Christine Pauley declined to provide details about the circumstances that led to Bingman’s termination.
“Personnel issues should remain confidential,” she said.
McFeely said Bingman’s future with the city is unclear but that she may be rehired in another department.
“We do know that in addition to her financial expertise, Ann also has paralegal training and experience, and that there is currently a pressing need for a paralegal/legal assistant within the Carmel Legal Dept.,” he said, adding that Bingman expressed interest in the position. “(Mayor Jim Brainard) feels it would be beneficial to keep Ann working for the City of Carmel, given her experience and knowledge.”
