With County Clerk Jim Brannon in attendance — and his department already tasked with supplying financial information to county leaders — the discussion quickly became testy.

"It is the job of the auditor to track this budget and control the data of our county," Brannon told Bingham in a loud voice.

The county is in the midst of hammering out its budget for the next fiscal year, and Bingham alluded to not receiving data from the Clerk's Office in a timely fashion so he can make informed decisions.

"I'm busy enough with the duties of being a commissioner ... It takes time to dive into that stuff," said Bingham, adding he has spent early morning hours doing research.

Brannon said he does not support the position because his office already does that work.

"My statutory duties would be largely ignored (if the position is approved)," he said after the meeting. Full story. Brian Walker/CdaPress

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