Treasurer Still Seeking Higher Bond

Crawford County Treasurer Karen Sikes is continuing her push to have her bond raised for at least three months out of the year.

Sikes presented information to commissioners Nov. 29, saying the ball was in their court.

Asked last week, Sikes said she had not received more information, but the commission didn’t have its weekly meeting.

Sikes is bonded at $250,000, but she wants the bond raised to at least a quarter of the most money the county holds at one time.

Sikes said Nov. 29 that the county has around $10 million between December and February, when money is deposited into the local school districts’ accounts.

She told commissioners the minimum a treasurer can be bonded is $20,000, but they can get a rider for the money that would be needed from December through February. It is up to the commission how much the bond is, she said.

“Per statute, when you get a bond to protect the school’s money, that portion can be paid out of the fines fund,” Sikes said.

She said the money for the schools is in and out.

“One school gets a check, others get direct deposit,” she said.

She said most treasurers get bonded for the most money during January, then drop down to $20,000 after that.