Kosciusko County GOP Treasurer's race: Sue Ann Mitchell

April 29, 2008 02:16 pm

— With Kosciusko County Treasurer Kent Adams not seeking another term, the field is open for a new clerk. Hoping to fill that spot are two Republicans, Sue Ann Mitchell and Cindy A. Nolton, one of whom will received the GOP nod during the May 6 primary.
At this point, there is no Democratic candidate.

Sue Ann Mitchell, 6200 E. McKenna Road, Warsaw, is seeking the GOP nomination for Kosciusko County treasurer.
She’s no stranger to public service. Mitchell was Tippecanoe Township assessor from 1987-1994, Kosciusko County assessor from 1995-98, serving as the county’s Y2K coordinator in 1999, and Kosciusko County auditor from 2000-07.
She is secretary/treasurer of the Kosciusko County Republican Women’s Club, chairwoman of the Queen of Lakes Pageant as part of the North Webster Lady Lion and is a board member for Kosciusko County Senior Services.
The Anderson High School graduate went on to business school at the Indiana Applied Academy of Business in Indianapolis and has received the Association of Indiana Counties silver, gold and platinum Diploma Class Awards.
For the past 27 years, she has been married to Richard D. Mitchell. They have four children, including Alyssa Schmucker, who is the emergency medical services director for North Webster/Tippecanoe Township EMS; Jason (Stacie) Ray, who is an Elkhart patrolman; Sarah (Brian) Knisley, Syracuse, who is owner of Town and Country Dog Grooming; and Bruce Mitchell, North Webster, who is Chore Time Brock International sales director. She also has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

What makes you the more qualified candidate?

• My ability to work with taxpayers in a courteous, knowledgeable manner.
• Proven record of public service as the Tippecanoe Township Assessor, Kosciusko County Assessor and Kosciusko County Auditor over 30 years.
• Proven organizational and leadership skills as evidenced by receipt of the Kosciusko County Government Excellence Award in 1995, the Indiana County Commissioner’s Association Auditor of the Year award in 2005 and the Association of Indiana Counties Auditor of the Year award in 2007.
• I earned the silver, gold and platinum Diploma Class Award from the Association of Indiana Counties for continuing education related to government.

What issues do you believe need to be addressed and why?

• Provide enough help to receipt tax payments and answer phones to improve taxpayer services with no added costs.
• Request extended hours during tax time so taxpayers can access the treasurer’s office after working hours with no added costs.
I would personally maintain the treasurer’s Web site as I did as county auditor to provide information 24/7.
• Cross train staff as I have done in all prior offices.
• Use electronic bank information to access balances instead of waiting for bank statements to expedite tax distribution.
• Prepare a treasurer’s office standard operating procedure manual.