Pulaski County Clerk JoLynn Behny and Pulaski County Auditor Laura Wheeler asked the Pulaski County Council members for stipends for up to $2,500 as allowed by state statute.
Behny explained that there is Indiana Code (3-7-12-22) that allows the county council to amend the salary ordinance to include a stipend up to $2,500 for the clerk serving as a voter registration officer during a General Election year to help offset extra hours, time and responsibilities during a General Election year. Clerks are required to be available during early in-person voting on two Saturdays before the election.
This new legislation was put in place July 1.
Auditor Wheeler said it was added for the auditor as well as that position also requires extra work that is not part of regular duties as the office holder.
Both Behny and Wheeler asked for the $2,500 stipend in 2024.
There was a motion to approve the request, but only two council members voted in favor of the vote, while three council members opposed the vote. Councilman Tim Overmyer and Mike Tiede, who opposed the vote, said the requests should have been brought before them while they were in the budget process and not while they were attempting to approve the 2025 budget that night. It was explained that the stipends are for 2024. The vote stood as recorded.
Behny also requested that the second $1,000 for voter registration, which would go to the clerk, be approved to be issued. The funding of $2,000 for voter registration is in the budget and was approved by the council last year for 2024, but was not included in the salary matrix. The council agreed to look into the matter further and address it at the next meeting.
