Anna Culy, who has served as auditor of Jay County for more than seven years, is resigning effective March 5. She’s joining the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, where she’ll be helping counties across the state with their budgets. Pictured, Culy sits at her desk in the auditor’s office at Jay County Courthouse on Tuesday. (The Commercial Review/Bailey Cline)
Anna Culy, who has served as auditor of Jay County for more than seven years, is resigning effective March 5. She’s joining the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, where she’ll be helping counties across the state with their budgets. Pictured, Culy sits at her desk in the auditor’s office at Jay County Courthouse on Tuesday. (The Commercial Review/Bailey Cline)
After more than seven years serving as auditor of Jay County, Anna Culy is leaving county office early for a position in state government.

Culy is resigning as Jay County Auditor effective March 5. She starts orientation for her new position as a budget field representative at Indiana Department of Local Government Finance two days later.

“It is weird. It’s very weird to think that I will not be in the courthouse, but it doesn’t necessarily mean I (won’t) be around,” Culy said.

She won’t be moving for her new job. Instead she plans to commute from Jay County and work from home when needed.

Culy has worked in the auditor’s office in various roles since 2003. She started as part-time help, and within five years she became the first deputy. In 2015, she took office as county auditor and has served just short of two terms, with her second term to end Dec. 31. (She was unable to run for re-election because of term limits.)

With Culy departing, a Republican caucus will choose someone to fill out the rest of her term.

Two Republicans, current first deputy Emily Franks and Kristi Morningstar, are running for their party’s nomination for county auditor in the May primary election.

(No Democrats filed for the primary, but the party could slate a candidate for the general election later this year.)

Culy is excited to pick up a job in a similar field.

The main aspect of her new job will be helping counties across the state with the “back end” of their budgets.

“I like the budget,” she said. “And so I get to learn more about the other side of it.”

She’ll also serve as a communication link, guiding other auditors through the process.

The county auditor’s office handles finances for the county, such as putting together an annual budget and issuing payroll.

“A lot of people don’t know what this office does, but it’s essential to county operations,” she added.

Her coworkers expressed they would miss having her in the office.

“She’s a great leader, all around,” said Amy Davis.

Franks said she’s glad Culy is entering a similar career field. She and her coworkers will miss the woman who helped teach them over the years, she added.

“We (knew) she was going to leave, we just didn’t think it was going to be this soon,” she said.

Working for the state also appealed to Culy because she may be able to help with parts of Jay County’s budget in future years. She hopes to continue contributing toward the area however she can.

“I don’t want to stop being a part of this county. It is my home,” she said.