County officials attend annual AIC conference

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Putnam County Treasurer Sharon Owens and Putnam County Recorder Opal Sutherlin were two of more than 500 county officials and county employees who attended the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) annual conference on Sept. 23-26 in Indianapolis at the JW Marriot.

Hundreds of Indiana county officials discussed how healthcare reform impacts local government and ways to reduce energy costs. The 54th annual conference offered county officials a wide variety of professional development courses as well as opportunities to network with their peers.

Several state officials provided updates on pertinent issues that assist with the betterment of county government.

Representatives from public agencies, private entities, universities and local elected officials addressed issues such as economic development and transportation, how federal healthcare reform affects counties, reducing energy costs for governments and fiscal benchmarking.

AIC's Board of Directors met with legislative committee members during the conference and adopted its 2013 legislative platform. The legislative platform covers key issues facing counties such as local taxation, criminal justice, public safety and infrastructure funding.

In addition, the annual election of officers was held and Marshall County Auditor Penny Lukenbill was elected as president of the AIC Board of Directors.

Lukenbill, who is currently serving as the board's first vice president, will officially begin her new term as president on Nov. 1.

The Associations of Indiana Counties Inc. is a nonprofit organization established in 1957 for the betterment of county government.

The various functions of the AIC include lobbying the Indiana General Assembly on behalf of counties serving as liaison among counties, state and federal agencies as well as providing technical assistance and training to county officials and employees.

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