Staff Directory

Welcome to the refreshed Whitley County Government page.  As you navigate the new website, we are pleased to offer some new areas of interest while keeping the original page layout. 

County Commissioners

 

The Board of Commissioners of Whitley County consists of three elected people who serve together and have powers over the unincorporated areas of the County.  They are the executive and legislative body of the county.  The County Commissioners are responsible for the administration of County business, and may enact ordinances and resolutions as provided for in the state law.  Each member is responsible for their own district.

Commissioner & Council Meetings - Video Recordings

Members

 
Commissioner
Theresa Baysinger
District 3: Jefferson, Smith & Union Townships
Office Phone: (260) 244-2376
Cell Phone: (260) 229-8381
Commissioner
Rob Schuman
District 2: Columbia, Thorncreek & Washington Townships
Office Phone: (260) 244-2377
Cell Phone: (260) 610-3434
  
Commissioner
Chad Banks
District 1: Cleveland, Etna-Troy, Richland Townships
 Cell Phone: (260) 446-4791
 
 
 

Election

Primary Election:
 
The primary election is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May. The next Primary Election is Tuesday, May 7, 2024 .  The last day to register to vote for this election is Monday, April 8, 2024.
 
General Election:
 
The general election is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The next General Election is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The last day to register to vote for this election is Monday, October 7, 2024.  

Need to register to vote?  Verify your voter registration information?  Go to www.indianavoters.in.gov 
Early Voting Hours for the 2024 General Election 

Tuesday, October 8 to Friday, November 1 (weekdays) - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(CLOSED Monday, October 14 for Columbus Day)

Saturdays, October 26 & November 2 - 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Monday, November 4 (LAST DAY) - 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

 
 
 
 

County Council


The County Council is the legislative branch of the county government that controls all the spending and revenue collections in the county.  They are responsible for setting priorities for the allocation of public funds, establishing salaries and other compensation, authorizing the expenditure of public funds for specific purposes, fixing tax rates and levies, and authorizing the borrowing of money in the form of bonds and notes.
Representatives are elected from county districts.  The council members serve four year terms.  For the purpose of electing County Councilmen, the county is divided into four council districts, from each of which one councilman is elected.  In addition, three councilmen are elected from the county at large, making a total of seven.
MEMBERS
John Barrett
Member, District 1
Smith, Union, Columbia NE		   Thomas Warner
Member, District 4
Cleveland, Jefferson, Washington, Columbia South
Kim Wheeler
Vice President, District 2
Etna Troy, Richland, Thorncreek, Columbia NW		   Joan Western
Member, District
At-Large
James Argerbright
President, District
At-Large		   Nicholas Brewer
Member, District 3
Columbia 1-8
Thor Hodges
Member, District
At-Large		    

Clerk of Courts

The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts is a county elected official who serves as an officer of the court and the manager of court information. The Clerk administers the official court records for all trial court cases with jurisdiction in Whitley County, prepares the permanent historical records for the courts, and processes and issues various documents for court cases. As a member of the Election Board, the Clerk oversees, conducts and certifies the results for all federal, state, county, township, municipal, special, and school board elections.
What We Do:
  • Receipt court costs, fees and fines for all court cases
  • Collects and disburses Child Support payments
  • Collects costs and disburses judgment monies
  • Traffic processing
  • Processes marriage applications and issues marriage license
  • Files and processes new cases for Civil, Criminal, Family Relations, Probate and Small Claims
  • Issues various court documents including arrest warrants, commitments, protective orders, service of process and writs
  • Maintains the Judgment Docket and Record of Judgments and Orders
  • Oversees the maintenance and microfilming of court records
  • Prepares certified copies of documents
  • Voter Registration
  • Conduct Elections

Closed daily from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm for lunch. 

Assessor

Thank you for visiting the Whitley County Assessor's Home Page. I hope that this site helps you with all of your assessing questions and needs. There are downloadable forms, FAQ's, links to other departments and contact information for your local assessing officials.

The County Assessor's Office is responsible for assessing all real and personal property within Whitley County, handling all inheritance tax returns and consents to transfer, and processing non-profit tax exemptions. 

UPDATE: The yearly, State mandated Cyclical Reassessment started May 1 and will go through early fall.  The Assessor's office is contracted with Nexus to visit the properties in each cycle.  The Field Reps have county badges and will be wearing orange/yellow vests.  They will be working in Etna, Jefferson, Richland/Larwill, Smith/Busco, Thorncreek and doing Industrial properties in Columbia City.  They should be driving a grey Dodge Durango, grey Ford Ranger or a dark blue Chrysler.  If you should have any questions, please contact the Whitley County Assessor's Office at 260-248-3109.

Thank you.

Kim Erdly,

Whitley County Assessor  

Whitley County File Management

The File Management Office oversees the maintenance of the records of the Court, while adhering to the confidentiality guidelines and retention schedules of the Indiana Supreme Court.  This office can also issue certified copies of court documents.
 
Older county files, estates, marriages & other records:
220 West Van Buren Street Suite Lower Level 2
Columbia City, IN 46725-2056
 
Archives/Record Area Hours 
Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
For Emergencies Contact County Clerk's Office (260) 248-3102
 
Clerk's Records
More current records and ones not listed here are kept in the Clerk's Office.
  • Marriage Records 1836 ~ 6/30/2010  The indexes for marriages 1838 ~ 1910 are indexed online below.
  • Estates 1838 ~ 2007  Other than more recent years Estate packets are indexed online below.
  • Guardianships 1838 ~ 1999  Other than more recent years Guardianship packets are indexed online below.
  • Circuit Court Civil Order Books 1853 ~ 5/6/1960, Dissolution of Marriages 1874 ~ 1989, Civil Plenary 1987 ~ 2007
  • Circuit Court Criminal  Felonies 1953 ~ 2003, Misdemeanors 1997 ~ 2003
  • Superior Court Small Claims Order Books 1987 ~ 12/15/1998
  • Superior Court Civil Order Books 1987 ~ 11/4/2004
  • Superior Court Criminal  Felonies 1978 ~ 1997, Misdemeanors 1985 ~ 2009, Order Books 1990 ~ 11/30/2004
  • Insanity Proceeding  Packets and ledgers indexed from 1850 ~ 1958
  • Court of Common Pleas  Index 1853 ~ 1873
  • Probate Proceedings  Includes Partitions, Quiet Titles, and Mortgage Foreclosures - Approximately 1873 ~ 2000

Auditor's Records
  • Transfer Books 1853 ~  1915
  • Commissioner's Records 1838 ~ 1970
  • County Council Records 1899 ~ 1963

Recorder's Records
  • Mortgages - ledgers indexed by individual ledger 1843 ~ 1942
  • Entry Books - circa 1877 ~ March, 1992
  • Chattel Mortgages - 1885 ~ 1902

Treasurer's Records
  • Tax Duplicates - 1877; 1881 ~ 2008
Other Records
  • Coroner's Inquests - 1900 ~ 1974 
  • Physician's Licenses - 1882 ~ 1971
  • Dentist's Licenses - 1889 ~ 1976
  • Veterinary Licenses - 1901 ~ 1905
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact Merri Frankle via email [email protected] or call 260-248-3143 or via fax at 260-248-2300.
 
 

Circuit Court

Welcome to Whitley County Circuit Court  
The following general types of cases are filed in Circuit Court:
  • Criminal Cases
    A Misdemeanors
    Level 1 through 6 Felonies and Murder

  • Civil Cases
    Adoptions
    Probate (Estates, Guardianships)
    Dissolutions (Divorce and Custody)
    CHINS (Child In Need of Services)
    Juvenile Delinquency
    Paternity
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions view the FAQ page.
View the staff directory for contact information for the Public Defender.
Whitley County Circuit Court is closed daily for lunch between 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Auditor

The Auditor is the Chief Financial Officer of the County. The staff is responsible for handling all receipts and disbursements of the County Funds, creating financial statements for the county , completing annual reports for review by the State Board of Accounts and processing payroll for over 200 county employees.

Additionally, the office handles all transfers of ownership for real property, maintains property boundary information on the County GIS system, calculates property tax for all real, personal, mobile home, drainage and special assessment records, controls distribution of tax collections, special assessments and special revenue collections for all units of government within Whitley County, including the City of Columbia City, Churubusco and South Whitley and all three school districts.

The Auditor also serves as the Secretary to the County Council, County Commissioners and Redevelopment Commission. The Auditor maintains all budgets, salary ordinances, additional appropriations, transfers, and abatement applications as well as the minutes of Commissioner and Council meetings.

Mission Statement:
We strive to provide accurate accounting, reporting, and auditing services to citizens and other governmental taxing units according to federal, state, and local laws in an efficient and cost effective manner. It is a privilege to assist the residents of Whitley County with professional and courteous service in a timely manner.
FOR TAX INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:

Coroner

Duties of the County Coroner include:

1. IDENTIFICATION of the deceased;
2. Determination of the CAUSE of death; and
3. Determination of the MANNER of death

IDENTIFICATION may be as easy as having a family member at the scene when you get there or as difficult as having only a few bones to work with and having to utilize one of the many experts available to your coroner.

CAUSE of death is the final factor or event that happened to the deceased. If this had not happened, the individual would still be alive. This may be a cascade of factors or events, one following the other and this will be reflected on the death certificate that your coroner files with the county health department

As an example:

A. asphyxia (inability to breathe), due to
B. chest compression, due to
C. settling of automobile, due to
D. failure of jacking apparatus

This group of factors is referred to as the mechanism, which lead to the asphyxia, which is the cause of death.

MANNER of death is a descriptive grouping. It is, however, a firmly set, universally accepted acknowledgement of how people die. These possibilities are:

A. homicide;
B. suicide;
C. accident;
D. natural; and
E. undetermined 

Superior Court

Whitley Superior Court hears the following types of cases:
  • Level 6 Felony and Misdemeanor Cases
  • Dissolutions of Marriage
  • Civil Cases
  • Estates
  • Adoptions
  • Guardianships
  • Traffic Infractions
  • Small Claims
Whitley County Superior Court closes for lunch daily between 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Prosecuting Attorney

The Whitley County Prosecuting Attorney is responsible for multiple, but limited, areas of government legal work.  The Prosecutor files and pursues criminal charges and infractions.  The Office provides victim assistance and helps to recover restitution for crime victims.  Criminal forfeiture is also conducted by the Whitley County Prosecutor's Office.  A division of the office exists to assist in the collection of child support.  Also, a bad check program exists to help recoup monies for local merchants and other check recipients.

 

The office is located on the second floor of the Whitley County Courthouse.

Mail can be sent to: 

Whitley County Prosecuting Attorney

101 West Van Buren Street, Room 13

Columbia City, IN 46725

 

Phone: (260) 244-3000

Fax:      (260) 244-7380

Recorder

The County Recorder was the first office created by the Constitution of the State of Indiana in 1816.

The County Recorder's function is to maintain permanent public records involving a wide variety of instruments. Examples of recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, contracts, affidavits, mechanics liens, military discharges, subdivision plats, surveys, leases, public and private bonds, powers of attorney, Federal tax liens, and assorted miscellaneous documents.  Generally, all of these instruments are recorded either for giving legal public notice of their existence or for safekeeping and future reference.  The Recorder must enforce more than 1000 sections of State Law in the Indiana Revised Code.
 
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Recording Hours:    8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Holiday Schedule:    County Holiday Schedule
 
By State Statute, the County Recorder maintains and preserves all legal documents affecting title to real property.  Any instrument submitted for recording, providing it meets essential requirements, are recorded.  These records are the legal basis for determining ownership of real property.

The County Recorder prepares and furnishes official copies of any record or instrument when required by law, ordered by the court, or requested by any parties.  All documents are public information with the exception of Military Discharge records.  Since the Recorder's office is a State constitutional office, fees charged by the recorder are established under Indiana Code 36-2-7.  All transactions are audited by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.

The Recorder is a member of the County Commission on Public Records, which has authority over the preservation or disposition of all public records maintained by the County. (Indiana Code 5-15-6)

 

FIDLAR Websites

LAREDO | TAPESTRY

 

eRecording Companies

Corporation Service Company | eRecording Partners Network | Simplifile

 

Sheriff's Department / Jail

Sheriff Star 1
WHITLEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
101 W MARKET STREET
COLUMBIA CITY IN 46725
260-244-6410
 
Got a tip for us?
Email us at [email protected] 
Please note that this email is not monitored 24 hours a day. If you are having an emergency, call 911.

Surveyor

Treasurer

Welcome to the Whitley County Treasurer's Department

 
The County Treasurer is responsible for collecting, retaining custody of and disbursing county funds.

The Treasurer's Office performs the billing and collection of property taxes and special assessments on real estate, personal property tax, and mobile homes located in Whitley County.

The Treasurer also pursues the collection of delinquent taxes.

Whitley County's bank accounts and investments are maintained by the Treasurer.  All funds collected are invested until disbursements are made to the various taxing units in the county (schools, cities, towns, townships and libraries) and to the County's Operational Funds.

Each month, the Treasurer and Auditor work together closely to balance all funds.

Property tax statements, mobile home title transfer permits and mobile home moving permits are issued through the County Treasurer's Office.  A property tax clearance form for an alcohol beverage license can also be obtained at the Treasurer's office.

The County Treasurer is required to track all bankruptcies filed for Whitley County property owners.

When government employees fail to pay their property taxes, the Treasurer is required to notify the taxing unit and can garnish wages if necessary. 

It is our desire to serve each Whitley County resident efficiently and respectfully.
 
For frequently asked questions view the FAQ page
 
Tax Payment Options
FOR TAX INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:
 
Our Staff
  • Kay Gatton - Treasurer
  • Denice Spencer - Chief Deputy
  • Susan Walker-Part-time Deputy
  • Kathy Miller - Part-time Deputy
  • Laurell Schroeder - Part-time Deputy
  • Amy Cook - Part-time Deputy

Community Corrections

Community Corrections strives to reduce recidivism by assisting offenders in their decision-making process. The Department coordinates various programs including: Work Release, Home Detention, Community Service, Alcohol and Drug Program, Veterans Treatment Court,  PreTrial Services and Community Transition Program (CTP).
Director:
Paula Worden
(260) 248-3113
Deputy Director:
Julie Jensen-Kelley
(260) 248-3113

                                                                Work Release Rainbow

Review

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to provide a multi-facet community based program that facilitates behavioral change by incorporating the effective use of evidence based practices through cognitive change programs, aimed to increase motivation, and cease criminal thinking prior to their incorporation back into the community, enhancing public safety.

VISION STATEMENT

Provide programming and supervision of offenders that results in a community that has social order and where people and property are not at risk of criminal activity and where the community, through its individuals and organizations, works together to create a community of law abiding citizens where each person can maximize their potential for a full and productive life.

Click Here To Pay Fees

 
 

Emergency Management Agency

Emergency Management Log
Whitley County Emergency Management/Department of Homeland Security is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it occurs, disaster response (e.g. emergency evacuation, quarantine, mass decontamination, etc.), as well as supporting, and rebuilding society after natural or human-made disasters have occurred.
 
In general, Emergency Management is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups, and communities manage hazards to avoid the impact of disasters resulting from the hazards. Actions taken depend in part on perceptions of the risk of those exposed. Effective emergency management relies on the thorough integration of emergency plans at all levels of government and non-government involvement. Activities at each level (individual, group, community) affect the other levels.

Emergency Management is one of several terms that, since the end of the Cold War, have largely replaced Civil Defense, whose original focus was protecting civilians from military attack. Modern thinking focuses on a more general intent to protect the civilian population in times of peace as well as in times of war.

Engineer / Surveyor

The Whitley County Engineer and the Whitley County Surveyor are the technical authorities for matters relating to:

  • County legal drains
  • Pond Permit Reviews
  • Bridges & Small structures
  • Section corners
  • Address verification
  • Development standards
  • Highway specifications and standards
  • Highway rights-of-way 
  • Public way vacations
  • Voting districts

The Whitley County Engineer and the Whitley County Surveyor are voting or ex officio (non-voting) members of the following boards, commissions, and committees.

Surveyor

  • Whitley County Drainage Board (ex officio) (link)
  • Whitley County Plan Commission (link)

Engineer

  • Parcel Committee

GIS Department

Welcome to the Whitley County GIS Department Home Page. This page will enhance your map researching capabilities by integrating county offices and department's information under one system. By utilizing our GIS website, you have the capability of viewing and querying a wide variety of data layers. You also have the ability to print street maps of our County, Townships, City and Towns.

GIS Department Responsibilities:

The GIS Department is responsible for maintaining digital maps and creating data layers for Whitley County. We also create the addresses for the entire County, City and Towns.

What is GIS?
GIS is an abbreviation for geographic information system, which is computer software that maps and analyzes geographic data.
 
Available Data Layers for Viewing on The GIS Website:
Townships, Sections, Parcels, Lots, Subdivisions, Aerial Photography, 2' Contours, Address Points, Street Centerlines, Right of Ways, Drains, Tiles, Precincts, Flood Zones, Soils, Zoning,
 
 
  GO TO THE Whitley County GIS Website