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Tough transition awaits new treasurer, auditor
Incomplete property tax assessments major issue.

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - Two county positions involved in La Porte County's ongoing financial business will be taken over by new office holders with no first-hand experience with the positions.

Auditor-elect Craig Hin-chman and treasurer-elect Nancy Hawkins will be sworn in Jan. 1. They will inherit three years' worth of incomplete property tax assessments. At this point, it's not certain when the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance will approve the county's 2006 pay 2007 reassessment, but it may not happen until Hinchman and Hawkins take office.

County Treasurer Ken Layton will become a county commissioner in 2009. Auditor Teresa Shuter ran for re-election, but was defeated by Hinchman. She looks forward to enjoying her personal life, including spending time with her four-month-old granddaughter, Macy. They recently sat down with The News-Dispatch to share their thoughts about the transition period.

Unlike the U.S. presidential transition, no official protocols exist for the handoff of these county positions. According to Layton, new county officials attend a one-day workshop in Indianapolis, where they receive the manual covering their responsibilities. But he said it's not enough.

"There's a tremendous learning curve," Layton said. "One of the major facets is the people they need in Indianapolis. They're going to have to know who plays well and who doesn't."

Shuter said, "We've developed relationships with a lot of those people. They know us personally."

Neither Layton nor Shuter will be available to consult with the new officeholders. But Layton leaves behind an experienced staff, including Mike Maurer, deputy treasurer and 20-year veteran of the office. Layton said Hawkins has visited and introduced herself to department staff - six in La Porte and three in Michigan City.

Hawkins said she looks forward to working with all of them and regards Maurer as a valuable part of the office and someone she can learn from.

I'm looking forward to the challenges of the office and am anxious to get started," Hawkins said.

Shuter said Hinchman stopped by the La Porte office last Friday to let staff members know he didn't plan to fire them. Shuter was out of the office at the time. The auditor has a total of 16 staff members, 15 in La Porte and 1 in Michigan City. Chief deputy auditor Rita Layton has chosen to leave the office with Shuter.

While campaigning, Hinchman and Hawkins were confident in their ability to take on the jobs. Hinchman, who has owned Hinchman Real Estate for 30 years, will take over for Shuter. He refused to talk to The News-Dispatch this week about the transition into his new office.

Before the election, Hinchman said he wouldn't have a problem handling the job.

"I don't think just because the auditor changes, the world's going to come to an end," he told The News-Dispatch. He said his experience as a Realtor qualifies him to manage the auditor's office.

Hawkins was confident prior to the election her credentials fit the position requirements.

"I wouldn't begin to run for a job if I didn't feel I was qualified," she said, citing 27 years of banking and investment experience. She said her current position as operations officer for Harbour Trust & Investment Management Co. is much like the responsibilities of county treasurer.

Both Layton and Shuter emphasize the importance of having the right qualifications to take over two positions that have widespread impact on the operation of county government.

"A lot of people look at us (auditor and treasurer) and think these are administrative positions," Shuter said. "It's not true. We actually do the work. It's not a cushy administrative position."

Shuter has 16 years of experience in the auditor's office, eight of them as chief deputy for Ken Layton, who was county auditor for two terms. Layton calls the auditor "the heart and soul of county government." The auditor is considered the principal financial officer in county government and controls public funds. The auditor must develop financial analyses and cash-flow projections and assist with budget preparations for 60 units of county government.

"The entire budget of the county is prepared by one person," Shuter said. "If the office doesn't give the council good information, they can make a bad choice."

The auditor serves as a secretary to the board of county commissioners and the clerk to the county council, keeps accounts and issues warrants for payment of claims against the county.

Claiming it has nothing to do with sour grapes, Shuter expressed concern about Hinchman's ability to take over her responsibilities. Because of the county-wide reassessment order from the DLGF, Shuter has had to maintain three sets of books that can't be reconciled until the reassessment is approved.

"To come in off the street in a normal year would be challenging enough, but being three years behind - I can't imagine," Shuter said.

The county auditor and treasurer work together closely. Layton, Shuter and their staffs meet to brainstorm about issues and challenges. The treasurer works with the auditor to insure proper distribution of county funds.

"We're in each other's offices daily," Shuter said, "especially with the transition to the new tax system."

As the county tax collector, the treasurer monitors tax payments and can order the sale of property to pay back taxes. Layton said he thinks Hawkins has an appropriate background for assuming the treasurer's position. He is not sure about Hinchman.

"That doesn't mean people from the outside can't come in and succeed," Layton said. "What I'm saying is, at this point in time, with the difficulties the county is facing and a lack of experience, it is going to be very, very, very difficult for anybody to succeed."

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Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.