Township auditors are an endangered species

Elected auditors in some townships are apparently viewed as inconsequential due to the fact that outside professional auditiors are hired by supervisors to perform annual audits. This leaves the elected auditors to only set salary increases, if any, set the number of vacation days and set the number of holidays.
A professional auditor is compensated substantially, but elected auditors perform their duties essentially pro bono. As a former resident and auditor in Perry Township, Greene County, I took the job seriously. I took several courses concerning township rules, regulations and codes at my own expense. Township auditors can perform an audit of all township funds except for federal and state grant money.
Local auditors who want to perform a civic duty should be more familiar with the operation of their townships and should be welcomed by supervisors.
Most elected supervisors are conscientious, but I believe elected auditors still have a place in communities.
Patricia Lemley
Berkeley Springs, W,Va.