The future president of Bethel College will serve on the county's new committee overseeing management practices at the Douglas County Treasurer's Office.
Lawrence resident LaVerne Epp was appointed to the committee by county commissioners at their Monday morning meeting.
Commissioners in November, against the wishes of County Treasurer Pat Wells, decided to create a three-member committee to counsel Wells on how she invests the county's nearly $30 million in idle funds.
Commissioners have said they are interested in creating the committee, in part, because lower interest rates will make successful investing of county funds more difficult, and the committee could aid decision-making.
But commissioners also have said the committee is needed to help prevent treasurer's office mistakes like those cited in past audits. In the 2000 audit, Wells' office was cited for violating two state statutes, including one in which county deposits were undersecured by $2.8 million.
Epp, who will take over as president of Bethel College in North Newton in August, said he believes his previous experience as president of Lawrence-based Retirement Management Company will be helpful.
"The goal of the committee is to look at the systems and procedures of the office," Epp said. "I don't have any preconceived notions about what we'll find."
Epp will serve on the committee with Wells and Pam Madl, the county's director of administrative services. The committee is expected to deliver its first report to county commissioners in about a month.
Wells did not attend Monday's meeting. Attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.
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