The time has come for State Auditor Stacey Pickering to recognize the need for urgency and finalize an ongoing dispute involving the Warren County Circuit Clerk’s Office.

At issue are audits dating to 2006 that the state office says show inconsistencies in the fee practices of the circuit clerk. Shelly Ashley-Palmertree, who has been circuit clerk for eight years and is seeking re-election in the Nov. 8 general election, repeatedly has said she has been working with the state auditor’s office and that she has done nothing wrong.

Before electing the circuit clerk for the next four years, the residents of this county need to know if the state investigation has merit. The state office has said it will continue investigating about $300,000 the accounting firm Bridgers and Company says Ashley-Palmertree owes the county.

Right now, the voters do not know. And the snail’s pace on reaching a decision — the investigation has been going on for nearly three years — is a disservice to all of the candidates, including Ashley-Palmertree.

If she is found to have done nothing wrong, she should not have this cloud hanging over the head of the office she runs.

If it is found that money is owed to the county, voters will have that knowledge entering the polling places in November.

The money the state claims Ashley-Palmertree owes is not chump change, especially in tight economic times. Warren County deputies desperately need pay increases and certainly the addition of six figures to county coffers could help that.

But Ashley-Palmertree has yet to be found guilty of doing anything wrong.

Instead, the state auditor officials answer inquiries by “no commenting” reporters and shielding themselves behind “the continuing investigation.”

Seventy-three days from today, Warren County voters will elect a new circuit clerk. What a shame it would be to have such a dark cloud hanging over this important election.

Put the pedal to the metal, Mr. Pickering, and finish this investigation. Now.