Auditor promises staff he’ll finish term, seek another

Through communications with Indiana’s other auditors, Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher has learned other auditors are resigning their positions. Ten, so far, Hoelscher said.

That led Hoelscher — in the 19th month of his term — to gather his staff July 9 and announce that he has no plans to resign and, in fact, will seek a second term.

“Witnessing other auditors and watching them resign, it’s appropriate for me to tell (the staff) — in case there’s some theory out there that I’ll resign — to squash that,” Hoelscher said. “I want (Wayne County) council and commissioners to know I’m not resigning.

“It’s a tough job, and I will continue doing that. And, I will seek election again. I want my staff to know that, too, and I want my staff to know who they work for.”

Hoelscher displays the oath of office he took in Circuit Court on the wall near his desk. He reread that oath and expressed disappointment in the auditors who are leaving office.

“You violate your trust with the taxpayers,” Hoelscher said. “You said you would be here to do a job, so do it. Don’t just quit.”

When running, Hoelscher knew he would encounter issues if elected. He wanted his staff to know he plans to survive those difficulties and wants to establish the direction of his office for what he hopes will be six more years.

During the 2022 Republican primary, Hoelscher won the GOP nomination for the general election, when he ran unopposed. He first served as auditor during the 1970s.

Hoelscher thinks auditor is the most difficult job in county government. Auditor offices execute varied tasks. They work with all county officials and departments, and their work is audited by Indiana State Board of Accounts. 

In an email thread with other auditors, Hoelscher wrote that he would “fight for my duties.” He also said he has an attorney separate from the county attorney to provide him with advice. 

Hoelscher asked the county council on July 3 to allow him to transfer $1,500 from his office supplies budget to pay for the professional services of an attorney. His request died for lack of a motion.