*## The Treasurer Who Couldn't Keep Her Keys*

Sherine Miller was fired from the position she held. She was locked out of her own office. She was literally barred from entering Township Hall except on meeting nights. And then, two weeks after being stripped of her duties, she resigned with a $110,000 payout.

The drama at Kalamazoo Township has become a cautionary tale about public finance mismanagement, power struggles, and what happens when officials accuse each other of trying to steal control.

"She was literally locked out of her office, only allowed at Township Hall on meeting nights," reads one news account of the situation.

That level of humiliation for a township official — who oversees millions in taxpayer money — escalated until Miller finally gave in. She resigned March 16 after being censured twice and facing a formal investigation that called her "incompetent."

## The Investigation: Patently Incompetent

An outside investigation by law firm Clark Hill found Miller "patently incompetent" in her duties. The report claimed she was unable to balance financial statements or manage property tax assessments.

But Miller told a different story. She alleged that unelected officials were trying to take control of the funds. She said township superintendent Tracie Moored asked to serve as deputy treasurer twice, after Miller rejected several other candidates.

The investigation also alleged "official misconduct and willful neglect of duty," including the transfer of $4 million in township money in violation of board directives.

"She's now resigned as trustee to be full-time treasurer and rebuild trust with the public," WWMT reported when Clara Robinson was named to take over.

## Enter Clara Robinson

Clara Robinson, a former trustee and executive coordinator at Kalamazoo Township, was selected to serve as the new treasurer. She will hold the office until November, when township residents elect a new treasurer.

Robinson's resume includes 12 years as Comstock Township's deputy treasurer, along with professional financial operations experience. She was first elected in Kalamazoo Township as a board trustee in 2020.

"I think the biggest thing is that people understand that I too am a stakeholder," Robinson said according to WWMT.

Robinson later switched to executive coordinator, helping with multiple township departments before being re-appointed to the board. She's now resigned as trustee to be full-time treasurer.

"I expect to be held accountable," Robinson said. "Just like I expect the board members to be held accountable as we have been doing to this point."

## The Fallout

Miller's resignation came with a severance agreement that includes two years of retiree health benefits in addition to the $110,000 payout.

Residents expressed concern over how their money was handled over multiple years. Miller's alleged inability to follow financial best practices or accounting rules to keep track of millions in public funds became a major point of contention.

One of Miller's main defenses was that she was protecting the township's money from those who would misuse it. But the Clark Hill investigation found she couldn't accurately reconcile financial reports.

## What Comes Next

Robinson will give up her other roles to focus on rebuilding trust with the public. She wants transparency to be key from this point forward.

"We have an audit that will return under her leadership," Robinson said, encouraging residents to follow the money for themselves.

When Robinson was named treasurer, she said:

"I'm not only a board member, resident, but the treasurer."

The position will be filled by election in November, when township residents have a chance to vote for their own treasurer.

Sources:

  • Kalamazoo Township selects former trustee to be new treasurer — WWMT
  • 3/31/26: New K Township treasurer — NowKalamazoo
  • Kalamazoo Township selects new treasurer — WOODTV