INDIANAPOLIS -- The expenses of Wayne Township in Marion County, one of the largest townships in Indiana, are being called into question after an examination of records revealed thousands of dollars spent on dinners, hotel rooms, take-home cars and the salaries of a relative and associates of the trustee.

Township governments in Indiana have been under fire in recent years because some consider them an antiquated, bureaucratic entity that has long outlived its usefulness.

Supporters of township government contend that the work they do is closest to the citizens and provides a direct outlet for concerns and assistance.

In a three-month investigation of Wayne Township's expenditures and a state audit, 6News' Kara Kenney found several examples of spending that some might consider excessive or inappropriate.

Former board member Roger Bowser considers the operation of Wayne Township government, which serves more than 100,000 people, one of the most egregious examples of wastefulness in the state.

Bowser, who served on the Wayne Township board from 2002 to 2008, said the spending habits of Trustee David Baird are out of line, considering the financial hardship of the community.

"There's a lot of money being wasted here in Wayne Township," Bowser said. "The taxpayers out here are really hurting."

A State Board of Accounts audit revealed that Baird hired his brother, Herschell Baird, and named him chief of staff, a new position created without required board approval. Herschell Baird has a salary of $78,700.

Baird also created a contract position for his girlfriend, who takes in more than $31,000 a year.

The township purchased two take-home vehicles for the Bairds at a cost of $41,000. David Baird uses the car, but his brother gave his back to the township, Kenney reported.

Receipts showed more $623 in hotel meeting rooms and valet parking expense at downtown Indianapolis hotels, and credit card receipts revealed hundreds of dollars spent on meals, many within a 10-mile radius of the township office.

Township employees dined at McCormick & Schmick's in downtown Indianapolis at least four times. Receipts showed a $70.74 lunch on Dec. 18, 2008, a $57.54 lunch on Jan. 23, 2009, a $101.83 dinner on Feb. 16, 2009 and a $60.32 lunch on Oct. 20, 2009.

Receipts also showed that David Baird booked hotel meeting rooms at the Omni Severin hotel, Hyatt, and Marriott Indianapolis East. The Omni Severin bill included $75 worth of valet parking charges. The Hyatt bill showed $112 worth of valet parking charges.

Baird also signed off on spending $42,000 for a legislative consultant, even though the township already pays dues to the Indiana Township Association, who lobbies on its behalf.

"There are lots of places where there could be savings, but they are not being done," Bowser said.

David Baird initially ignored 6News' requests to speak with him, so Kenney showed up at a board meeting, at which he defended his actions.

"I hired my brother for his experience," Baird said. “I needed someone I didn’t have to watch that would hit the ground running in the transition, and we had a very good transition."

Baird added that he "got lucky" when asked why he hired his girlfriend, who he said previously handled accounts for AT&T.

Baird pointed out that his brother and girlfriend are only two of his more than 300 employees.

"My background dictates I never hire anyone I can't fire," Baird said.

Baird said the use of take-home vehicles is necessary.

"At the size of the township and the situation we're in, yes (it's appropriate)," he said, adding that they are used only for business purposes.

Despite 6News' requests, the township didn't provide any mileage logs, a take-home vehicle policy or minutes from when the vehicles were approved.

Asked about the lobbyist expense, Baird insisted that it's necessary and reiterated that only five cities in the state are larger than Wayne Township.

"The township lobbyist for the association, he's the lobbyist for 1,006 (townships)," Baird said. "Wayne Township is the best township in the state, and they deserve the best."

Baird said the additional lobbyist helped shut down bills that would have harmed the township and that the meal expenses are necessary because lawmakers are often taken out to dinner to discuss important issues.

"When we can get them sitting down while they're feeding their face, we can get our point across," he said.

Baird said conference rooms are booked at hotels downtown when trustees from other parts of the state meet and strategize. When asked if he’s spending taxpayer money wisely, Baird said, “I’d say I’m doing a fantastic job.”

Bowser said he thinks Wayne Township officials do what they want with taxpayer funding because there is little control over how the money is spent.

"It certainly does make you wonder what someone's ethics are," he said. "They do something like this knowing the economic conditions right now."

Watch 6News on Tuesday at 6 p.m. for a follow-up story with the Indiana Township Association and State Board of Accounts about controls on township government.

More: Lobbyist Contract
Wayne Township 2009 Budget