Local government - County Auditor's series Commissioners

Marshall County Auditor Angie Birchmeier explained in the second article of the series an overview of the financial records duty of the county auditor.  The third article in this series will explore the relationship between the county auditor and the county commissioners.

As previously stated, the position of county auditor is a constitutional position while the county commissioners are statutory, meaning they are given their powers by the Indiana State Legislature.  Those powers also make the commissioners the custodians of the “home rule” which allows the commissioners as the executive body of Marshall County to use all powers necessary to conduct business.  Home rule authority only applies to a power not granted by the Indiana Constitution or statutory provisions and an ordinance must be adopted.    

The position of county commissioner is a complex position with the authority over many executive and administrative functions.  The commissioners are responsible for insurance, both health and liability for the county as well as personnel policies and benefits for the county employees.  As the spending authority for the county, all claims that are processed for payment must be approved by them at public meetings.  In addition, they are tasked with receiving bids and approving most contracts, controlling, maintaining, and supervising county properties, including courthouses and jails.  Commissioners supervise the construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges, appoint non-elected department heads and boards, serve as members of a solid waste district board, the County Board of Finance and the County Drainage Board.

As the executive body of the county, there are certain departments that the department head is appointed by the commissioners: the Highway Department, IT Department, Maintenance Department, EMA Director, Human Resources, Veterans Service Officer, and Weights and Measures.  While the county does have a separate HR Department, the auditor’s office plays an integral role by ensuring the policies created by the commissioners are upheld when processing payroll.

The auditor is also very involved in many aspects of the commissioners’ duties.  By statute, the auditor is required to attend all meetings of the commissioners.  When contracts are approved, even though the commissioners are responsible for uploading them to Gateway, the auditor has historically taken on that task on their behalf.  The auditor’s office answers many questions or directs constituents and staff alike over many different topics that are questioned. 

All ordinances, resolutions, contracts and minutes of meetings along with supplementary documents are housed in the auditor’s office.  Documents that were presented at public meetings are available for viewing up on the completion of a Freedom of Information Act form.

County commissioners must keep an office open to the public and are statutorily allowed to have an administrative assistant.  In Marshall County, the commissioners do not have an administrative assistant, the auditor often takes on that role in addition to the statutory duties already set out for auditors.  The commissioner’s office is located within the auditor’s office and while the commissioners are not in daily, they are available via email or telephone, which is listed on the County’s website at www.co.marshall.in.us. 

The Marshall County Building is open to the public from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. 

Residents are welcome to call us at 574-935-8555 with any questions or concerns.