Simon resigns as Bluffton Clerk-Treasurer
By HOLLY GASKILL
& JONATHAN SNYDER
Michelle Simon announced she is stepping down as Bluffton clerk-treasurer.
On Saturday, current Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Bri Lautzenheiser won a Republican caucus to take over the role. She won 7-1 over Jackie Barnes.
County Recorder Carolyn Bersch was also appointed to replace Ossian Clerk-Treasurer Angie Ealing, who submitted her resignation in March.
Clerk Beth Davis advised Bertsch will take over the position in December, and the Republican Party will host another caucus to fill the recorder vacancy. Bertsch had already reached her term limit as recorder, and Rina Stuck, also a Republican, is the only candidate running for recorder in November.
Simon announced her intentions to the city in July. She has worked with the city since 2003 and was appointed as a deputy clerk-treasurer in 2010. She was elected as chief clerk-treasurer in 2023.
“I am resigning from the Clerk-Treasurer position as of September 2,” Simon wrote in a statement to The News-Banner. “When I started with the City of Bluffton 21 years ago — I never would have guessed I would be where I am today. A time has come where God is calling me away for personal matters. I have loved working with the great employees of the City of Bluffton.”
Lautzenheiser has been a deputy clerk for the city since December 2015.
“She has always done an exemplary job,” Mayor John Whicker said. “We appreciate the fact that she has been a good employee all these years. I’m sorry to see her leave, but we wish her the best.”
holly@news-banner.com, jonathan@news-banner.com
