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Education
Schoolcraft College
Campaign Email
Muellerformiddlebury@gmail.com
Occupation/Current Position
Deputy Trustee, Middlebury Township
Campaign Phone
574-536-0774
The Township Trustee ensures that providing financial assistance to residence in emergency circumstances is done with complete confidentiality, dignity, and respect, while providing the resources to help break the cycle of financial dependency. Township assistance is more than just helping pay rent and utilities. Food/Non-Food assistance, prescriptions, burial/cremation, and funeral expenses are just at the top of the list. Not every situation is the same, nor should it be treated as such. The whole picture needs to be taken into consideration before a decision can be made on how assistance should be administered. Sometimes assistance isn’t just financial. Many times it is just providing a listening ear, to a resident who needs someone to not judge them, to understand their situation and to let them know that they are not alone.
One of the biggest challenges facing all Indiana Townships is the constant threat of elimination. Continuing to work closely with the Elkhart County Township Association, the Indiana Township Association, and our State Legislators, advocating to keep township government at the local level, allowing us to provide for and maintain our most essential services (Fire/EMS, and Township assistance) and ensure our tax dollars stay within our community for our benefit.
Middlebury Township Fire and EMS is a well-established department. As Trustee, I will help ensure that the department, as a whole, continues to grow as a financially competitive, well-trained, and well-equipped emergency response department that has a shared focus on continuing to serve and protect our community.
With nearly 25 years of daily township operational experience, I bring a deep understanding of fiscal management, compliance, and resident-focused service. My background includes Department of Local Finance budgeting, State Board of Accounts reporting, Township assistance administration, and the financial and administrative oversight of Fire and EMS operations. I am routinely consulted by fellow Township Trustees on daily operational functions as well as special projects from the State Board of Accounts, and A.E. Boyce-Keystone software reflecting a reputation for competence, integrity, and stewardship.
During my time as Deputy Trustee of Middlebury Township, I’ve had hands on experience managing township records and property on a daily basis. I’ve used the current township accounting software for more than nine years and have spent over seven years serving on its BETA consulting team, helping improve how the system works in real work situations. I’ve also been actively involved in insurance planning for township assets and employees, as well as making sure our data and computer systems are stored securely. This experience has given me a strong, practical understanding of record keeping, asset management, and safeguarding township information.
The Township Trustee Office will continue to have daily office hours, within the Middlebury Township Fire Station as well as accessibility by phone and email. Appointments are available after hours if needed. I want our Township government to continue to be accessible, accountable, and focused on serving the people who live here.
Township trustees are held to strict guidelines from the State of Indiana. Township assistance is one of the main reasons Townships still exist. By ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely, guided by transparency, common sense, as well as reaching out and utilizing all of the resources within our community, county, and state we will make sure that everyone is helped in on way or another.
