Dreyfus objects to Meridian Township's plan to replace Treasurer Julie Brixie by Saturday

The Meridian Township Board of Trustees is seeking to quickly find a new treasurer, but not all of its members agree with the speed of the process to fill the position. 

Julie Brixie, the current treasurer, was elected on Nov. 6 to represent Michigan's 69th House District and has resigned from her position effective later this year. 

The board on Thursday approved a process to find a replacement for her by the end of this week, citing a desire to have the new treasurer train with Brixie.

Meridian Township Clerk Brett Dreyfus says that's moving too quickly and that the board is not leaving members time to find the best possible candidate. 

Brixie announced her final day with the township will be Dec. 7. The board has until 45 days after that date to fill the position before Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum would need to call a special election. 

That gives the board until the end of January to fill the vacancy. But board members decided Thursday night to move quickly to fill the position. 

Unlike in some other townships, the treasurer in Meridian Township works full-time. 

That full-time work comes with a salary of about $72,000. That's compared to a much lower salary in similarly sized townships. The treasurer makes $24,402 in Delhi Township and $17,340 in Delta Township. Both townships have part-time treasurers. 

Applications for the position are due by 4 p.m. Wednesday and must include a cover letter and three references. 

A board-appointed committee will review the applications and select the top three candidates to interview with the township board. 

The board will hold a special meeting on Saturday to conduct interviews and select a new treasurer, who will begin training with Brixie on Nov. 26. 

Dreyfus said he has serious concerns about the board-approved timeline. As an alternative, he suggested giving people until Nov. 30 to allow more time both for people to apply and for the board to consider applicants. 

He said the process and the special meeting being on a Saturday both dramatically reduce transparency for what appears to be a "super-rushed job" that is potentially opening the door for a purely political appointment.

"This is a sub-prime way of hiring a person for an important position," Dreyfus said. "We need somebody new who has really solid financial management skills." 

He added it appears the board already has someone in mind.

Township Supervisor Ronald Styka did not return a Friday call about the process but said during the Thursday night board meeting that simply isn't the case. 

"I have nobody in mind. I did not pre-select anybody," Styka said. "I did not draft this around anybody."

Township Trustee Phil Deschaine said Friday the process isn't perfect, but it "fits within the desire of the board to have the new treasurer trained by the current treasurer."

"It is moving quickly, but other past boards have acted even quicker when they've named the new treasurer or clerk," Deschaine said. "The board tried to balance the need for adequate notice with the need to have someone in place in time to make sure when they start the job...that person has training." 

Contact reporter Megan Banta (517) 377-1261 or at mbanta@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1