Columbus will elect a city clerk this year as the city moves to second class status and separates the clerk-treasurer duties into two jobs.
Current Columbus Clerk-Treasurer Luann Welmer, a Republican, is seeking her fourth term in office. But since the community has chosen to adopt a second-class city status, Welmer is seeking the office of city clerk in 2024. In a second-class city, the fiscal officer is a controller appointed by the mayor.
Welmer is being challenged by Democrat Quisha Jackson, who served in the U.S. Navy for five years.
Last November, the 43-year-old Jackson challenged incumbent Bartholomew County Clerk Sheri Lentz. The incumbent Republican won 15,161 votes, while the newcomer ending up with less than half that amount.
But Jackson, a security professional with Nighthawk Security, filed her candidacy to run as city clerk just three months after her November loss.
Welmer has served three terms as clerk-treasurer and was also chosen chairwoman of the Bartholomew County Republican Party in March 2021.
Q: Are you concerned that an appointed, rather than elected individual, will be hired as controller of the city?
Indiana law is very clear on what the clerk does and what the controller does, Welmer said. She anticipates the roles will be well defined when the changes go into effect on Jan. 1. While the current clerk-treasurer anticipates the next mayor will hire a financial professional, she expressed a willingness to assist the new controller and address any questions or concerns. But Welmer also said the controller will have experienced staff to assist in carrying out the responsibilities.
Jackson also sees the roles of clerk and controller as being well-defined. While the controller deals with financial matters, Jackson views the clerk as someone who will handle legal and regulatory administrative work. Although Welmer has experience as clerk-treasurer, Jackson says that might make things a bit complicated.
“If I were the clerk-treasurer where everybody already has defined roles, but then everything changes, you can get confused on who does what,” Jackson said. “I will be learning the job, so I wouldn’t have any old habits to break.”
Q: Has the city relied on one-time windfalls like the American Rescue Plan to indirectly increase salaries or new jobs that will still have to be paid for annually after the windfall is gone?
Welmer says she would be concerned if the city started hiring or giving raises based on one-time windfalls, but that hasn’t happened.
“We did a one-time supplemental pay out of the ARP money, but that’s it,” Welmer said. “Our goals going forward are pretty specific on how to use the rest of the money.”
However, it will be up to the next mayor’s administration to make decisions regarding this matter in the future, she said.
Jackson expressed concern that the city could end up spending more than it takes in if a one-time windfall is indirectly supported raises and new employees. However, Jackson stressed she would have to see the plan before making any judgment.
“I certainly would have an issue with any plan that is not sustainable,” Jackson said.
Q: What attracts you to the clerk’s position? What impact will the change to a second-class city status have on the responsibilities of the clerk?
Seeking her fourth consecutive term, Welmer said she has substantial knowledge of what a clerk should do because the duties are well-defined by law.
But when the controller takes over finances, the clerk and her staff will finally be able to fulfill a long-sought goal, as well as take care of their normal responsibilities. Welmer wants to scan historic documents going back to the 1800s, and make the information available to the public.
Jackson says she is attracted to the clerk position because it will provide her with autonomy that will allow her to do her job without added pressure.
“I love administrative-type jobs, which includes organizing, filing and typing up materials,” Jackson said.
But in terms of the impact the change in the city’s class will have, Jackson again emphasized she will have to learn more about the position before she would feel comfortable expressing an opinion.
Welmer
Luann Welmer
Party: Republican
Age: 63
Previously elected offices held: Has served as Columbus Clerk-Treasurer for three terms (12 years). Seeking a fourth term, but running in November for city clerk, rather than clerk-treasurer.
Education: Graduated from Columbus East High School in 1978. Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.
Community services and organizations: Chair of the Bartholomew County Republican Party. A member of St. Peters Lutheran Church, Columbus Rotary Club, Indiana League of Municipal Clerk-Treasurers, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, and the Columbus Police Pension Board.
Family: Husband, David. Two adult children.
Jackson
Quisha Jackson
Party: Democrat
Age: 43
Occupation: Security professional, Nighthawk Security
Previously Elected Offices sought: Unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Republican Shari Lentz for Bartholomew County Clerk in 2022.
Education: 1998 graduate of Columbus North High School. Attending IUPUC, working toward earning a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology.
Community Services and organizations: Served full-time in the U.S. Navy for five years.
Marital status: Single
