Contact: Nathan Van Horn FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel: (260) 693-9350
E-mail: nathan@townofchurubusco.com
CHURUBUSCO TO CONSIDER SEVERAL ORDINANCES RELATED TO PERSONNEL CHANGES
Last month, the Town Council and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl, were informed changes had been made to I.C. 3-5-9-2 regarding the employment of elected officials and Ms. Sade-Bartl had thirty days to choose whether to resign as chief-of-staff, a position that she has held since 2022, or as clerk-treasurer, a position she has held since 2012. It was made VERY clear that when Ms. Sade-Bartl was appointed as chief-of-staff, the appointment was fully in compliance with Indiana law and within the rights of the Council Had the law not been amended, there would be no issues with Ms. Sade-Bartl retaining both positions. Shortly after receiving this news, the Town Council scheduled an executive session to receive information about Ms. Sade-Bartl as an employee and evaluate her performance in her current role. In addition to discussions related to the evaluation of her current role, alternatives and solutions were presented that would allow Ms. Sade-Bartl to retain her elected position at her current salary while also operating within the parameters of annual salary increases found within I.C. 36-5-3-2. Another option that was discussed was the consideration of her appointment as Churubusco’s first town manager, an option the Council was receptive to consider.
While Council contemplated its options, it also gave Ms. Sade-Bartl the opportunity to contemplate a decision that was best for her and her family. Ultimately, she stated it was never her intention to run for the position of clerk-treasurer in 2023, but because no one else had filed for candidacy, she was somewhat caught holding onto the position. She felt that this change in statute was her opportunity to finally leave the role as the Town’s fiscal officer and it gave her the chance to focus her energies on her passions- project management, personnel administration, and strategic planning. The Council applauded her work as clerk-treasurer over the last 13 ½ years and agreed they were excited to start a new chapter in Churubusco’s history. President Van Horn asked Mr. Boxberger draft ordinances that would allow the Council to appoint a town manager that would be considered at a future meeting.
On June 18, 2025, the Churubusco Town Council will consider several new ordinances and several ordinance amendments that will change Churubusco from a Council-Clerk style of government to a Council-Manager style. Many duties that have been fulfilled in the past by the clerk-treasurer under the guise of “utility office manager” and, later, “chief-of-staff” will now fall upon the Town Manager’s office including utility billing, human resources and benefits administration, grant writing and administration, permitting, code enforcement, and more. Once Ms. Sade-Bartl tenders her written resignation to the County Clerk’s office, the Whitley County Democratic Party will have ten days to schedule a caucus to fill the vacancy and hold a pro tempore election within 30 days (I.C. 3-13-11-3). Should no one file for candidacy, the Town Council has the authority to fill the position as outlined in I.C. 36-5-6-9. It should be noted that the role of clerk-treasurer is, and always has been, a part-time position and shall remain as such. The current annual salary for the clerk-treasurer position is $21,186.10.
The Churubusco Town Council wishes to thank Ms. Sade-Bartl for her impeccable financial management over the last 13 ½ years. She is renowned throughout the State for her knowledge of the budget process, lobbying of legislation, and financial planning prowess. Several other area communities and public entities regularly call and seek her assistance in solving their own financial problems and rely on her to help them create their annual budget. During her tenure as clerk-treasurer, she earned multiple degrees and certifications including Master of Science- Human Resources Management (MSM), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Indiana Accredited Municipal Clerk (IAMC), Advanced Indiana Accredited Municipal Clerk (IAMCA), Certified Municipal Official (CMO), OCRA Certified Grant Administrator, INDOT Employee of Responsible Charge (ERC), and Indiana Tree Steward. She has also served and held office on several professional State associations including Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM)- Committee Member and Board Member, Indiana Personnel Managers of Cities & Towns (IMPACT)- Board Member and President, and Indiana League of Municipal Clerks & Treasurers- Committee Chair, Board Member, and President. Churubusco has been very fortunate to have had someone with her pedigree serving as clerk-treasurer and we are excited to have her serve as the Town’s first Town Manager.
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