Mitchell Announces Candidacy For County Council At-Large
Posted
Staff Report-
Sue Ann Mitchell announced Friday that she will seek one of three at-large seats on the Kosciusko County Council. At the end of 2016, Mitchell will finish her second term as Kosciusko County treasurer and 40 years of service to county taxpayers, according to a press release from Mitchell. Due to term limits she can no longer serve as county treasurer. She has been successful in the seven previous times she sought public office, having served as the Tippecanoe Township assessor, Kosciusko County assessor, Kosciusko County auditor and Kosciusko County treasurer. Mitchell states that every position she has held she has been a “hands-on working office holder” and still has a desire to continue to serve the public. In the release, Mitchell states “Because of my knowledge of the operation of the county through the previous offices I have held, I believe I am qualified to serve on the Kosciusko County Council. I believe the hands-on experience of assessing, serving as the secretary to the County Council and the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission, serving as the controller for the Solid Waste District and the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitor’s Commission, preparing county budgets, preparing property tax bills and being responsible for the collection and distribution of taxes, being responsible for county investments and most importantly listening to taxpayers over the last 40 years will help me serve as a well-informed County Council member.” She has served as a precinct committee person and delegate to the Republican Convention for over 20 years. Currently, she serves as the treasurer of the Kosciusko County Republican Women’s Club. She was inducted into the Republican Hall of Fame in 1996. She also serves as the District 2 director for the Indiana Federation of Republican Women. While a township assessor, she served as the president of the Indiana Township Assessor’s Association for three years. As a county assessor, she served on the Indiana County Assessor’s Association Board of Directors and Education Committee. She served as the North East District vice president and legislative co-chair for the Indiana Auditor’s Association. Currently, Mitchell serves as the Legislative co-chair for the Indiana County Treasurer’s Association. She received the Indiana County Commissioners “Auditor of the Year” award in 2005. In 2007 she received the Association of Indiana Counties “Auditor of the Year” award. She was honored with the Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce “Government Excellence” award in 2005 and again in 2015. Mitchell currently holds the position of North East District President for the Association of Indiana Counties. In 2015 she was the recipient of the Himsel Award, the highest award presented by the Association of Indiana Counties, being selected from all county elected officials. She served the North Webster community as a volunteer EMT for 15 years, receiving the North Webster EMT of the year award in 1983 and 1984. She was awarded an “Honorary Life Member” award from North Webster/Tippecanoe Township EMS. She received the county EMT of the year award presented by the Warsaw VFW in 1984. In 1990, she received the North Webster Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” award. Mitchell is a member of the North Webster Lady Lions and currently serving as treasurer, having chaired the Mermaid Festival Queens Contest and Cutie Contest. She previously served as the North Webster Community Charities Christmas Distribution. She is a member of North Webster American Legion Post 253 Auxiliary. This year she will finish her service on the Kosciusko County Senior Services Board of Directors. Mitchell, 69, was born and raised in Anderson, graduating from Anderson High School in 1964. She attended business college in Indianapolis. She was employed by General Motors prior to moving to Kosciusko County in 1970. She fell in love with the area at the age of 8 when she and her family owned a summer place on Dewart Lake, Pinkerton’s Landing, according to the release. She was married to Richard D. Mitchell, who passed away in 2012. She has four children including Alyssa Schmucker, Jason Ray, Sarah Knisley and Bruce Mitchell. She has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
