COMMENTARY: COUNTY RECORDER DEBBIE STUCKI DEFENDS HER RECORD

I’m Debbie Stucki, your current Vanderburgh County Recorder.  I am running for re-election for Recorder.  I am a lifelong resident of Vanderburgh County.  I have been married to Teddy Stucki for 33 years.  We are blessed with a son, Teddy 2.  He is a mechanic at METS.  We have 2 spoiled dogs and 3 cats.  We attend Salem United Methodist Church.  

I have served the public for 36 years in Vanderburgh County Government.  I have 20 years’ experience in the Recorder’s Office.  I worked as an employee in the Recorder’s Office for 16 years and was elected in 2016 to serve 4 years as County Recorder.  For the past 2 years, I was elected to serve the Indiana Recorder’s Association as the Southwestern District Vice-President.  I was a liaison for 17 counties in the Southwestern District.  I co-hosted the Annual Southern District Conference in Nashville, Indiana.  I am honored to be endorsed by former Recorder Bob Steele and former Recorder Betty Hermann.

The Recorder’s Office was one of the first constitutional offices in the State of Indiana.  The Recorder’s Office maintains permanent records of property transactions and makes them available to the public.  Over 200 years of Deeds, Mortgages, military discharges, leases and more.  

The Recorder’s Office collects and distributes fees that are charged for recording a document.  A portion of those fees, about $450,000 last year, went to the County General Fund.  I believe we will distribute about $500,000 to the County General Fund this year.  The Recorder’s Perpetuation Fund is used at the discretion of the County Recorder.  In my first term as County Recorder, I have helped save the county and taxpayers over $700,000.  I choose to pay 6 employees’ salaries.  With proper budget management, I could pay for the Offices’ Administration cost, software, and support, preservation of records, office supplies, and salaries.  In 2019, I purchased new computers for the office and have had several Deed Records from the 1860’s rebound and preserved.  

I am always looking for the best way to serve the taxpayers and keep the office running efficiently and effectively.  In the Recorder’s Office, we work very closely with the public and other county offices.  I have a good working relationship with the Treasurer’s, Assessor’s, and the Auditor’s Office.  Customer service is very important to me.  I strive to be honest, friendly, and fair while communicating with the staff and the public.  

I have a great passion for my job as County Recorder.  I care about recording the documents correctly so that they can be found tomorrow or 100 years from now.  I strive to serve the public of Vanderburgh County in the best and most effective way in the preservation and protection of the documents and history of our county.

FOOTNOTE: The City-County Observer posted this article without biass or editing.