Sunday, December 27, 2020

NEO training

 The Indiana County Auditors' Association welcomes all newly elected and re-elected county auditors!

The Auditors' Association participated in the Association of Indiana Counties' Newly Elected Officials training held  December 9-11 by hosting our own affiliate meeting virtually. We thank everyone who "attended."

If you missed our NEO training and would like to see the recorded video, you can do so by accessing the following link: NEO training



From left to right: Clay County Auditor Jennifer Flater, Warrick County Auditor Debbie Stevens, Porter County Auditor Vicki Urbanik, and Fulton County Auditor Christina Sriver.



Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Newly Elected Officials training Dec. 9-11

To all newly elected and re-elected county auditors, congratulations on your win and your commitment to public service!

This week, the Association of Indiana Counties is hosting its annual Newly Elected Officers training. As part of the NEO conference, the  Indiana County Auditors' Association will host our own affiliate meeting on Dec. 10. Our affiliate meeting will be live-streamed at 1 p.m. Eastern time.

Below is the agenda for our Affiliate meeting:

I. Welcome to the County Auditor's Office!

  A. Introduction of Officers
  B. About the Auditors' Association
     1. Mission statement
     2. Organizational structure: Members, Officers, District Chairs, Committees
     3. Website
     4. Events: Regional district meetings, SBOA quadrant meetings, North-South meetings, fall conference
     5. Other events/affiliate meetings: Includes AIC NEO, AIC annual conference

 II. Presentations: Preparing for Your First Few Months as County Auditor

  A. Important Necessities
  B. Important Recurring Items
  C. Annual Financial Report
  D. Ws/1099s/1095Cs
  E. 100R
  F. Tax Abstract

III. Questions & Answers

IV. Closing Comments
    
Auditors who registered for our Affiliate meeting on or prior to Dec. 9 were emailed a link to join the session. That link is:  https://youtu.be/TrRm4BW2irk

Below is the full agenda for the AIC's NEO:

Wednesday, December 9 - General Training (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
9:00 A.M.   Welcome
                         Mr. Paul Joyce, CPA, State Examiner
                                State Board of Accounts
9:15 A.M.   The Honorable Tera Klutz
                         Auditor of State
9:30 A.M.   Opening the Office Day 1
                           Ms. Lori Rogers, CPA, Director of County Services
                           Ms. Ricci Hofherr, Director of County Services
                                 State Board of Accounts
10:30 A.M.   Mr. Wes Bennett, Commissioner
                           Department of Local Government Finance

Thursday, December 10 - General Training (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
9:00 A.M.   Open Door Law
                         Mr. Luke Britt, Public Access Counselor
                                Office of the Public Access Counselor
                         Ms. Karen Arland, Attorney
                                Kennedy, Downs & Arland, PC


10:00 A.M   Legal and Ethical
                        Mr. John Gregg, Attorney
                                Ice Miller

1 P.M.          Indiana County Auditors' Association Affiliate Training

Friday, December 11 -General Training (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
9:00 A.M.   The Basics of County Budgeting & Revenue Streams
                         Ms. Jacque Clements, Director of Planning and Professional Development
                                 Association of Indiana Counties
10:00 A.M.   Public Purchasing – Indiana Laws and Best Practices
                         Mr. John Hughes and Mr. Steve Unger
                                 Bose McKinney and Evans LLP


11:00 A.M. LUNCH


1:00 P.M.   Human Resources – You Won the Election
                         Mr. Frank Pinson
                                 Bliss McKnight
                         Ms. Libby Roberts, Attorney
                                 Church Church Hittle & Atrim
2:00 P.M.   Cybersecurity
                         Stephen Reynolds, Partner
                                  Ice Miller
                         Tiffany Kim, Associate
                                  Ice Miller





Saturday, October 31, 2020

Auditors' Fall 2020 Conference: A Conference Like No Other


Our fall, 2020 conference was held during the last week in October, and it was a conference to remember. Designed to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our conference took a hybrid approach, with some county auditors and deputies attending virtually and others attending in-person at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne.

Challenging? Yes, but working together we made it happen! 

The Indiana County Auditors' Association expresses our heartfelt gratitude to a number of individuals who helped us work through technical obstacles, in particular: Lori Rogers and Ricci Hofherr of the Indiana State Board of Accounts; Jacque Clements of the Association of Indiana Counties; AV specialist Zac Foust; and the staff at the Grand Wayne Center.

Check back soon, as we will post the recorded training sessions once they are available.

Below is a photo gallery of our conference, arranged by the following topics: I. Welcome! II. Training III. Remembering Pauline IV. Auditors' Got Talent V. Business Meeting

I. Welcome!


ICAA 2020 Officers (left to right): President-Elect Vicki Urbanik of Porter County, Secretary Christina Sriver of Fulton County, Vice-President Jennifer Flater of Clay County, Treasurer Debbie Stevens of Warrick County, and President Julie Fox of Marshall County.

ICAA Secretary Christina Sriver and Treasurer Debbie Stevens welcome auditors at the registration table.



ICAA Vice-President Jennifer Flater hands out  a conference bag to Randolph County Auditor Laura Martin.

ICAA Treasurer Debbie Stevens welcomes Indiana Auditor of State Tera Klutz, one of several in-person presenters.

ICAA President-Elect Vicki Urbanik meets with Association of Indiana Counties President Anton Neff, one of our in-person presenters. 

ICAA Vice-President Jennifer Flater working the registration table.

ICAA President Julie Fox meets with Fountain County Auditor Brenda Hardy. 

II. Training


The training sessions provided by the State Board of Accounts, Department of Local Government Finance, and Auditor of State's office were held on Wednesday and Thursday of conference week. To view the slides from the training sessions, visit the SBOA webpage here: Auditors Fall Conference Presentations. (Scroll down to the section "Presentations and Training Materials" then Auditors Fall Virtual Conference.)


The ICAA also sponsored a training session about deeds on Friday morning with guest speaker Lou Klatch of the Metropolitan Title Company.



ICAA President Julie Fox addresses the conference attendees.



The conference seating provided social distancing for attendees.




Auditor of State Tera Klutz addresses the conference.


Lou Klatch of Metropolitan Title Company gave a presentation on Indiana's grid system used in legal descriptions on deeds. As he presented in-person, virtual attendees watched his presentation, as shown on the screen at right.

III. Remembering Pauline


Elkhart County Auditor Pauline Graff, former ICAA President, passed away on July 13, 2020. To honor and remember her, we presented the following: Remembering Pauline. 
(Note: To view the presentation with both audio and video, download the file; select the Slide Show option for best viewing. File size: 30 MB)

The presentation included videos of ICAA Past President Patty Ball (shown here) and President Julie Fox sharing their memories of Pauline.


IV. Auditor's Got Talent


Our Thursday evening activity included a "Survivor" game, followed by an Auditor's Got Talent show. Take a peak at all the creativity and talent!


"Survivor" game contestants.  




Julie Fox introduces the Auditor's Got Talent show.  



The "two Jeffs" from Dossett Consulting present the "Who's on First" scene by Abbott and Costello. 

Jennifer Flater introduces each act as the show's emcee. 

Laffy Taffy joke-telling by Christina Sriver, with help from Kayla and Jennifer.  


Vicki Urbanik presents a Wierd Sisters scene from MacBeth.

Brenda Hardy presents Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walking."

Phil Brothers from SBS sings a song that perfectly captures a day in the life of a County Auditor.

Tipton County Auditor Greg Townsend recites the opening of The Canterbury Tales in Middle English.


More joke telling and slinging candy.



Christina Sriver and Stuart Little (aka Julie Fox).

Theresa from Clark County sings.

Amber from Clark County sings.

More joke telling and candy hurling.

Jacque Clements from the AIC presents a humorous version of Patsy Cline's "She's Got You."


The final act: We Are Family sing along.


IV. Business Meeting


Following the Friday morning training on deeds, the ICAA held our annual business meeting that included a discussion of proposed legislation, recognition of out-going county auditors, and the nomination and approval of the 2021 Association officers. The business meeting also included the presentation of the "Auditor of the Year" plaque to ICAA 2020 President Julie Fox. The conference officially concluded with our traditional gift give-away for in-person attendees.

The 2021 slate of officers is: Past President Julie Fox, President Vicki Urbanik, President-Elect Jennifer Flater, Vice-President Debbie Stevens, Treasurer Christina Sriver, and Secretary Amy Tolbert.

Thanks everyone for an informative and interesting 2020 conference! Stay safe and healthy!

Mark Palmer, ICAA lobbyist, discusses proposed legislation affecting county auditors.

Julie Fox presents a certificate of  recognition  to out-going Adams County Auditor Mary Beery, who is completing her final term. Mary shared her experiences as county auditor and how she will now move on to the position of Adams County Assessor.

Fulton County Auditor Brenda Hardy reflects on her years of service as auditor and her upcoming role as a County Commissioner. Julie presented her with a certificate of recognition for her years of service as county auditor.

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Auditors' Fall Conference!

 

Our Fall, 2020 Auditors' Conference is now underway. This year, we are “Rolling the Dice” and our conference will be considered a hybrid featuring both virtual and in-person attendees and speakers.

The State Board of Accounts' virtual training will be on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 28-29. 

In addition, the Auditors' Association is hosting an in-person conference Oct. 27-30 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne that will include the SBOA’s virtual training.   

You can  access the registration form, the "Auditors Got Talent" registration form, and health liability release form by clicking on the following links:

Auditor Conference Flyer

Vendor Conference Flyer

Grand Wayne Convention Center Health Statement


The agenda for conference week (check back for updates):

Tuesday, Oct. 27:  AIC Institute for Excellence Class, "Communications."  (completed)

Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 28-29: 

Breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m. (In-person attendees).

Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (In-person attendees).

State Board of Accounts-called conference. Click here for the agenda: SBOA Agenda

The SBOA has created a form for auditors to submit questions in advance. You may submit as many questions as needed. All questions will be submitted anonymously. 

To submit questions, click here: Submission of Topic Questions

Thursday evening, Oct. 29:

Auditors' Association dinner banquet and "Auditors Got Talent" show, (6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. activities). Share your talents with us! See the registration form for more details.

 Friday morning, Oct. 30:

Breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m. (In-person attendees).

9 a.m.: Association-sponsored education session followed by Auditors' Association annual business meeting. Note: This session will be a Zoom meeting and will be accessed by a different link from the SBOA trainings on Wednesday and Thursday. Auditors will be emailed the link. 


             We're excited to see you in-person or virtually at our fall conference!

 

 

 

Monday, September 21, 2020

Auditor of the Year: Julie Fox

Congratulations to Indiana County Auditors' Association President Julie Fox for being named Auditor of the Year by the Association of Indiana Counties.

AIC President Anton Neff announced the award during this year's all-virtual AIC annual conference. Check out the AIC's website, www.indianacounties.org, for information about this year's conference.

Julie, the 2020 Auditors' Association President, has served as Marshall County Auditor since 2015. Prior to her work as Auditor, she served as the Marshall County Clerk.

Congratulations, Julie, for this very well-deserved honor!



                                 Screen shot image of the AIC awards presentation, Sunday, Sept. 20

Friday, July 31, 2020


Remembering Pauline Graff (May 21, 1952--July 13, 2020)      

                     

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pauline Graff of Elkhart County.

Pauline passed away on Monday, July 13 at her home in Blackman Lake, Ind.

Pauline was elected Elkhart County Auditor in 2010 and served for two terms. She rose up the ranks as an officer with the Indiana County Auditors’ Association, serving as President in 2017 and 2018. She was named the AIC’s Auditor of the Year for two consecutive years.

We will always remember Pauline for her dedication to the taxpayers, her sense of humor, her infectious laugh, and her hard work ethic. We are especially appreciative of her leadership for county auditors through her work with the Association.





Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Reminder: Annual Dues, Memberships Due!

A friendly reminder to county auditors and vendor members: It's time to pay your Indiana County Auditors' Association membership dues!

The dues for county auditors are based on each auditor's salary. The optional affiliate membership for employees of county auditors' offices is $15 per person. 

County auditors may access the dues letter with this link: 2020 Auditor Membership Dues

Vendors can also show their support of the Indiana County Auditors' Association by joining as a member. The vendor membership dues are of varying amounts. 

Vendors may access the dues letter with this link: 2020 Vendor Membership Dues

Both the Auditor and the Vendor membership letters are also available under the "Association Business" tab.

When remitting payment, make sure to send your payment to the 2020 ICAA treasurer, Warrick County Auditor Debbie Stevens, at Judicial Center Building, One County Square, Boonville, IN 47601.

Information about the ICAA vendor members can be found under the "Associate Members" tab. Vendors who need to update their information should contact Porter County Auditor Vicki Urbanik at vurbanik@porterco.org


Saturday, February 22, 2020

AIC Legislative Conference 2020

County officials from throughout Indiana attended the Association of Indiana Counties' 2020 Legislative Conference. Held in Indianapolis on Feb. 11-12, the conference included a variety of speakers, training sessions, and affiliate meetings. At the Indiana County Auditors' Association's affiliate meeting, we discussed topics including legislative updates and annual financial reports. Below are some scenes from the event.

County auditors hear legislative updates from ICAA lobbyist Mark Palmer during the ICAA affiliate meeting.



Fireside Chat: AIC Board President Anton Neff of Owen County and Ind. Gov. Eric Holcomb discuss statewide issues during a "fireside chat" session at the AIC conference.


Kimberly Diller recently joined the AOS Local Government Division and was introduced at our affiliate meeting.
ICAA Secretary Christina Sriver of Fulton County and Treasurer Debbie Stevens of Warrick County.
ICAA President Julie Fox 
ICAA 2020 Officers (left to right): Debbie Stevens, Treasurer; Christina Sriver, Secretary; Jennifer Flater, Vice-president; Julie Fox, President; Vicki Urbanik, President-elect; and Patty Ball, Past-president.

ICAA Vice-President Jennifer Flater of Clay County and President-Elect Vicki Urbanik of Porter County.








































2023 Fall Conference Highlights