Clerk-Treasurer

Kevin Hackman, Clerk-Treasurer

The Clerk-Treasurer must be a resident of the city for a year prior to the election (IC 36-4-10-3). In a third class city, the elected clerk-treasurer is the head of the department of finance (IC 36-4-10-4.5). As the city’s fiscal officer, the clerk-treasurer has a variety of powers and duties. 

Clerk-Treasurer's Powers and Duties:

• Prescribe the form of reports and accounts to be submitted to the department, and inspect and revise the accounts of all other departments;
• Prescribe the manner in which creditors, officers and employees shall be paid;
• Audit the accounts of the city and submit a report at the end of each fiscal year concerning those accounts;
• Maintain separate accounts for each specific item of appropriation made by the council to each department, and require all warrants to state specifically against which of such items the warrant is drawn;
• Sign and issue all orders for money upon the city treasury;
• Retain charge of all books in his or her department;
• Inspect and pay, or refuse to pay under certain conditions, all warrants presented (IC 5-11-10-1 and IC 36-4-8-4);
• Perform certain tasks in the negotiation and sale of bonds, and keep a register of all bonds the city when so required, and an account of outstanding bonds or other obligations;
• Manage and direct the finance and accounts of the city and make investments of city monies;
• Provides the common council with budget estimates, revenue estimates, financial statements and proposed tax rate;
• Collect all fees due to the city fixed by ordinance;
• Issue all city licenses; and
• Prescribe the payroll and account forms to be used in the departments and offices (IC 36-4-10-4.5 and 36-4-10-5);
• Serves as the secretary and record-keeper for the common council and also performs those functions for the board of works and safety (IC 36-4-10-4);
• Keep records of council proceedings including the recording of all notes, and preserve all papers relating to its business;
• Present ordinances, orders, or resolutions for approval; prepare and keep an ordinance book;
• Have charge of all documents and books entrusted by statute or ordinance;
• Administer oaths when necessary 
• Take depositions
• Serve as a notary
• Keep the city seal 

Memberships & Committees

• Indiana League of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers, Member
• AIM - Accelerated Indiana Municipalities, Member
• Decatur Redevelopment Commission, Treasurer
• Adams County Commission on Public Records, Board Member
• Decatur Arts Commission, Treasurer

 

Wendi S. Gephart, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer

has served as Deputy Clerk-Treasurer since 2010. 

Cherie Bienz, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer

has served as Deputy Clerk-Treasurer since 2022.

Barb Engle, Part-time Deputy Clerk-Treasurer

has served as Part-time Deputy Clerk-Treasurer since 2016.

Clerk-Treasurers are authorized to appoint deputies and employees subject to authorization or approval of the common council. Such deputies and employees serve at the pleasure of the Clerk-Treasurer (IC 36-4-11-4; IC 36-4-10-7).

Contacts

City Clerk-Treasurer
Phyllis Whitright
260-724-4307

Downloads

Application for Employment