By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Tina Groening stepped to a lectern Friday morning, raised her hand, and swore an oath of office to serve as county treasurer.

She comes to her position with 9½ years of experience in the treasurer’s office. She was appointed to serve out the unfinished term of Susan Berg, who died Oct. 4 of cancer after two years as treasurer.

Groening had been deputy treasurer since February.

More than 50 people came to watch the swearing-in, including family, friends, county commissioners, county employees, and former treasurer Jeannine Bateman, who retired in October 2021 after nearly 38 years in the office.

“The dynamic T and T,” commission chairman David Mueller said. “Tina the treasurer and Tina (Spencer) the clerk.”

“Thank you so much for your support and encouragement,” Groening said. “It was a very difficult position we found ourselves in.”

Groening will serve until at least October 2025. The next election for treasurer will be in November 2024, but the person elected then won’t begin his or her full term until October 2025 because the state sets a different cycle for treasurers.

Julia Ensminger, who also has worked in the treasurer’s office 9½ years, was sworn in as deputy treasurer.