INDIANAPOLIS —_Daviess County Auditor Patty Ball, Treasurer Elaine Wellman, County Commissioner Nathan Gabhart, Assessor Dennis Eaton, and Recorder Jamie Chapman, were some of the 500 county officials and county employees who attended the Association of Indiana Counties’ (AIC) Annual Conference which was held Sept. 25 to Sept. 28 in Switzerland County, Ind. The 59th annual conference offered county officials a wide variety of professional development courses as well as opportunities to network with their peers. In addition, several state officials provided updates on pertinent issues that assist with the betterment of county government. The AIC was established in 1957 and held its first annual conference in 1958.
The AIC’s Annual Conference is the largest gathering of county officials in the state. Representatives from public agencies, private entities, and local elected officials addressed issues such as: the role of counties in combatting the opioid crisis, cyber security, social media best practices, ways to strengthen a county’s long term financial standing, and so much more.
The AIC’s board of directors and legislative committee discussed with members the 2018 legislative platform. The legislative platform covers key issues facing counties such as local taxation, criminal justice, public safety, and economic development. In addition, the annual election of officers was held and Hendricks County Councilman Larry Hesson was elected President of the AIC Board of Directors. Hesson, who is serving as the board’s First Vice President, will officially begin his new term as President on Nov. 1.
