It’s been a rocky start for Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield.
Celebrated by Indiana Democrats after taking office this year, her administration is now facing scrutiny from local Republican leadership — and some members of the all-Democratic city council — over concerns about how her administration is spending money.
The Lawrence Township GOP chair and a group of 24 residents submitted a petition to the council last month accusing the Whitfield administration of misusing taxpayer dollars, withholding financial documents and failing to budget to pay back certain debts — all while submitting a budget that includes a 15.3% property tax increase…