Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Monday may be a bittersweet day for county auditor chief deputy Jane Cope.
Not only is it Valentine's Day and Cope's birthday, it's also her last day working for Kosciusko County. Cope has accepted a position in Indianapolis with State Auditor Connie Nass.
"The thing I keep saying is they made me an offer I couldn't refuse," said Cope Thursday.
She picked Monday as her last day for a special reason.
"I didn't want to leave before my birthday," she said. "I wanted to spend it here with my friends."
Cope has worked for three county auditors - Pat Brown, Charlene Knispel and Sue Ann Mitchell.
"I've learned a lot from all three," said Cope. "They each had their own style and I learned a lot from all of them."
Of Cope, Mitchell told the Kosciusko County Council Thursday, "She has done a super job for the county."
Mitchell is hosting a celebration honoring Cope for her years of service from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at the courthouse on the second floor outside the auditor's office. The public is invited.
"Sue Ann's been very positive, saying it's such a good opportunity, how can you not do it?" said Cope.
Cope's position with the state will be as a settlement manager, a fairly new position in the state government. She will work in the Capitol and starts Feb. 21.
She said she hopes to "further my knowledge and understanding of the financing" of the government. She still will have contact with the county in her new position, she said.
She started working in the county auditor's office July 1992. Her goal had been to one day become the county auditor. And even though she's moving to Indianapolis, she said, that doesn't leave out the possibility of her return to run for that office.
Assuming Cope's duties in the county auditor's office will be Michelle Puckett. Puckett has worked on the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District finances, ditches, claims, payroll, deed transfers, annual report, tax sales, excise tax, budgets, tax rates and settlement. Mitchell said though she will miss Cope, she expects a smooth transition.
