Seitz files for recount

Jim O’Neal, WITZ AM/FM News Director contributed to this report

An attorney representing current Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz has filed for a recount for the 2015 municipal election results.

Seitz and challenger Democrat Wayne Schuetter tied in the mayoral race with 1,856 votes each.

The three-person election board comprised of Clerk Bridgette Jarboe, Republican representative Roger Messmer and Democrat representative Mike Fritch certified the results the Wednesday after election day. A recount commission appointed by the judge will oversee the recount.

Attorney David Brooks with Indianapolis firm Brooks Koch & Sorg is representing Seitz.

He filed in Dubois County Circuit Court today with a to have the vote examined and to have a revote in any precincts that are found to have discrepancies.

Additionally, the filing requested a changed of venue from the Dubois County Circuit Court. Seitz, Schuetter and independent candidate Joshua Budd will have to agree on a new judge in the filing.

Seitz is responsible for the costs of the filing and recount.

According to the Dubois County Clerk’s office, the filing fee is $156.00. The judge would set a bond fee of at least $140.00 in the case ($100 statutory and $40.00 per precinct over 10 — total of 14 precincts in the Jasper municipal election).

Seitz will be responsible for the cost to pay a new three-person recount commission at a $100.00 per day per person.

The unknown is how many days it would take to complete a recount as well as any legal fees Seitz incurs to file for the recount.

If the recount shows there is still a tie, then the decision would go to the seven-member Jasper Common Council to make the final vote on who is to be the next mayor of Jasper.