SRC Wants President To Serve As Consultant

(posted May 24)

The Speedway Redevelopment Commission approved of a conflict of interest disclosure that is paving the way to create a paid consulting position for the SRC President. President Scott Harris abstained from voting on the issue at the May 21 meeting.

The purpose of the disclosure will allow Scott Harris to charge up to $55.00 per hour to serve as an executive director consultant type position. No mention was made as to a limit of hours he could serve other than it would be a part-time position. However, after the meeting he said he would still serve "X-amount of hours" as a volunteer. SRC Attorney Nandita Shepherd quashed the conversation with the Navigator reporter by saying Harris should not make further comments until the job description negotiations are completed.

Harris said the impetus to this position came from SRC members Ron Fisher and Vince Noblet.

Commissioner Steve Bishop requested that Harris should have two commissioners approval before acting instead of one when acting as a consultant.

The conflict of interest disclosure will also have to be approved by the town council. This also will be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance for auditing purposes.

Trent Strader said he did not have a problem with Harris serving as a paid consultant. "He is a good guy with a good heart," he said.

According to Steve Key, general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association, there is nothing in the law to prevent Harris from serving as a paid consultant and as president of the SRC. Harris could not serve as a consultant if he held another lucrative office position, but the SRC is a volunteer job.

"Concerning the SRC situation, just because an action isn't illegal, that doesn't mean it's necessarily a good thing. It can raise ethical questions or knock out of harmony the usual checks and balances that are created between a board and those who actually carry out the functions of the entity," Key said.