Updated
An article was published in The Era-Leader's Oct. 30 edition that reported a Franklinton police officer’s state retirement account hasn’t been funded even though regular retirement deductions have been taken out of his paychecks.
Since the publication of that article, two more Franklinton police officers have come forward with the same problem. One of these officers was hired in August 2023, and the other officer was hired in May of 2024. Upon being hired they signed up for state retirement benefits, and the deductions began from their paychecks. But last week, after the publication of the article about the first police officer, the other two officers contacted a representative of the state retirement system and were told that their accounts were never funded.
The officer who originally complained has now had his retirement account funded, once the state retirement system contacted the Town of Franklinton and requested the funds. It is expected that the state retirement system will also request the funds for the next two officers.
Franklinton Mayor Greg Route provided the following statement concerning the retirement concerns: "I have looked into the retirement issues and also spoke with the state retirement system; all employees are enrolled and accounted for. As mayor when a situation arises and is brought to my attention I take immediate action whether it’s billing errors with utilities, overpayments or under payments of any Town of Franklinton bills, and insurance policies. I will be more than happy to meet with you and discuss any questions you may have."
The mayor's assertion that "all employees are enrolled and accounted for" in the state retirement system obviously conflicts with what the police officers discovered when they contacted the state retirement system. The Era-Leader has asked the mayor for clarification and his clarification will be posted and printed as soon as it is received.
Meanwhile, apparently other police officers and other employees of The Town of Franklinton are now checking their retirement accounts to make sure they are ok.
The Franklinton Police Department does not handle its own payroll -- no Town of Franklinton departments do. All payroll matters for every Town of Franklinton employee, regardless of department, are processed at the administrative offices at City Hall.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
