Hoosiers from around the state gathered at the Statehouse Monday to watch Tera K. Klutz, CPA take her oath of office to serve a second term as Indiana’s 57th Auditor of State.
Klutz
“I am honored by the responsibility and trust our Hoosiers have placed in me to serve another term,” Klutz said, “and blessed to have the opportunity to continue making Indiana a more transparent, accessible and accountable state government.”
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch offered remarks during the inauguration ceremony and Chief Justice Loretta Rush conducted the swearing in for Auditor Klutz and newly elected Secretary of State Diego Morales and Treasurer of State Daniel Elliott. Whitley Yates served as the master of ceremonies, while the Indiana State Police conducted the presentation of colors, Izabella Grady led the Pledge of Allegiance, Brooke Haggard sang the National Anthem and Reverend Jorge Ortiz offered the prayer.
“Our state, like many others in our great nation, has seen our fair share of economic challenges,” Klutz said. “But unlike many, Indiana continues to thrive, and I am grateful to be part of a fiscally conservative leadership team who guide our state to progress year after year. Indiana finished the last two fiscal years with historic reserve balances, allowing Hoosiers to not only benefit from a strong, more prosperous state for the next generation, but they have been given actual dollars back in their pockets.”
As Auditor, Klutz’s primary responsibilities include accounting for all state funds, paying all state expenses and payroll for over 30,000 state employees, overseeing and disbursing county, city, town, and school tax distributions, and administering Indiana’s Deferred Compensation Plan, known as Hoosier START.
The inauguration also marked the first day for Klutz’s newly appointed Chief of Staff and Deputy Auditor, Courtney Schaafsma.
“Courtney is going to help lead the office into the future with a shared vision I have had since taking office,” Klutz said. “The depth of knowledge and experience she brings to the office will be invaluable as we head into 2023 with our major initiatives.”
Schaafsma previously served under the Pence and Holcomb Administrations as the Commissioner for the Department of Local Government Finance. She has also served as the Director of School Efficiency with the Indiana Department of Education and Executive Director of the Distressed Unit Appeal Board.
For more information regarding Auditor Klutz and her office, visit in.gov/auditor.