By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Alyssa Schmucker was chosen by Kosciusko County Republican precinct committee members as the next County Auditor in a caucus held Thursday night in Warsaw.
Schmucker, a chief deputy in the auditor’s office for eight years, replaces Rhonda Helser who resigned recently intending to retire.
Schmucker was chosen over Patti Cook, the Etna Green Clerk-Treasurer who filed for the position shortly before the Monday deadline.
On top of her experience in the auditor’s office, Schmucker worked for many years with the Tippecanoe Township office and is a longtime EMT with the township.
In her short speech, she focused on her experience.
Cook said she’s done well as clerk-treasurer, said she wanted a new challenge and expressed a willingness to continue learning.
Schmucker’s career has also closely parallelled her mother, Sue Ann Mitchell who previously also served as county auditor and treasurer and now serves as a member of county council member and is poised to become a county commissioner after the Nov. 5 election.
Afterward, she acknowledged the connection and said she had learned a few things about county government from her mother over the years.
During and after her selection, Schmucker thanked numerous people including Helser and former county auditor Michelle Puckett.
“I am a true public servant and I am eager to serve the public and Kosciusko County as the next auditor. I will do my best to continue to develop good working relationships with the other elected officials and department heads of Kosciusko County while performing the duties of the auditor. Thank you very much,” she said.
She said she looks forward to what she anticipates will be a smooth transition as Helser steps aside on Aug. 31.
Helser is a former county treasurer and was elected as auditor in 2022 and took office in January of 2023.
The next term for auditor would begin in 2027.
