AIC eNewsletter
Feb. 3, 2017

AIC Legislative Update

Thank you to all our members who attended the AIC Legislative Conference and discussed issues with legislators while you were here. Your membership and active participation gives county government a stronger voice inside the statehouse, which in turns allows AIC to support strong county government on your behalf.
 
Several high profile bills proceeded through committee and legislative consideration this week as the pace of session continues to pick up. First, HB 1133 which would preempt local authority to regulate short term rentals (such as AirBNB) is now eligible for final vote in the House of Representatives. An amendment to this bill which would have continued to allow protections for residential zoning, was narrowly defeated.
 
Second, HB 1116 which allows local government officials to voluntarily waive their salary, passed out of the House on final vote and will be eligible for Senate consideration in March. Similarly, HB 1031 and SB 159 which allow the State Examiner increased powers when a unit fails to address issues raised during SBOA audits passed out of the House and Senate, respectively. Also, HB 1438 passed which would allow local units to implement needle exchange programs without state approval.
 
Next week will be extremely busy as committee consideration continues. SB 455 which updates tax administration of mobile homes and allows an optional mobile home tax sale will be heard in Senate committee Tuesday. HB 1284, which repeals last year's inclusion of taxation on online travel agents (such as Priceline, Orbitz, and AirBNB), will be available for vote in House Ways & Means Committee.
 
ACTION REQUEST: 
Of major importance to AIC, SB 381 which provides County Commissioners with an approval authority over annexations which happen within their jurisdiction, will be heard Wednesday in Senate Local Government Committee. If you live in a county represented by the Senators on this committee, please reach out to them and urge their support for this bill. Click here to see the committee members and their contact information.


Health Departments

Click here to find your legislators' contact information.

In This Issue
NACo ACTION ALERT ON MUNICIPAL BONDS

 
Urge Your House Members to Sign Municipal Bond Dear Colleague Letter

U.S. Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) and Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) are circulating a bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter to protect tax-exempt municipal bonds in any future tax reform or infrastructure measures. The letter will be sent to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.).

Call and email your House members today and urge them to sign on to the municipal bond dear colleague letter. The current cosigners include: Reps. Hultgren (R-Ill.), Ruppersberger (D-Md.), Napolitano (D-Calif.), Messer (R-Ind.), Brooks (R-Ala.) and Capuano (D-Mass.).
  • If your member is a Republican, have their staff contact David Heitlinger in Rep. Hultgren's office at [email protected]
  • If your member is a Democrat, have them contact Bill Hulse in Rep. Ruppersberger's office at [email protected]
Visit NACo's County Explorer to download your state municipal bond profile and share this with your members of Congress and their staff.

On Local Government: A Webinar Series by Purdue University's Dr. Larry DeBoer

2017 Legislative Session Update
Professor Larry DeBoer, Purdue University, Agricultural Economics

When: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EST / 10:00 am - 12:00 pm CST

Where:  This program is a webinar format. View at a local host site or participate live online via a personal computer. The workshop is free. To register click here or contact your local host site. Please register by Friday, February 10, 2017.

Who: All individuals involved in county and local government budgeting (county councils and commissioners, mayors and city councils, town boards, school boards, library boards, townships, etc.)

Why: It's a new year which means it's time for the Indiana State General Assembly to convene for their annual legislative session. Odd years are budget years for the general assembly and in this On Local Government we'll take a look at the State's revenue forecast, the proposed biennial budget and a few bills with an impact on local government finance.

Host Sites: Click here for host site locations.
Road Funding Day at the Statehouse Feb. 21


ROAD FUNDING DAY AT THE INDIANA STATEHOUSE
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
 
CALL TO ACTION
Now more than ever, we need to urge legislators to enact a long-term road funding plan that will keep roads and bridges safe, boost economic development and help create Hoosier jobs. 
SCHEDULE
10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Registration and Networking
10:30 a.m. to Noon - Legislative Briefing
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Road Funding Luncheon with Legislators
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Legislator Visits at the Statehouse (enter through the west doors)

REGISTRATION
While there's no fee to participate, please RSVP, so we can prep for the event and assist you in making connections with your elected officials. Register here.
2017 Purdue Road School

2017 Purdue Road School
March 6-9, 2017

Welcome to the 103rd Purdue Road School!
IT'S TIME TO REGISTER!

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2017 Purdue Road School Transportation Conference & Expo! 
Please click here to register at the Purdue Road School website and to preview this year's technical program, schedule, and special events. 

We look forward to seeing you in March!
Grants Management Training in Greenwood/ Indianapolis, IN - February 6-7, 2017

We are excited to present a Grant Management Workshop in partnership with the  Greenwood Police Department on February 6-7, 2017. This program is appropriate for any offices that receive state or federal grant funds. 
 
In this class we will review key concepts associated with accepting and managing grant awards; including reporting and record keeping, audit requirements, and program evaluation. Please find learning objectives at: http://grantwritingusa.com/syllabusmgwusa.html.


NEO Guidebook Available

The Guide to Indiana County Government is published every other year and distributed for free to attendees of the AIC Newly Elected Officials Training. We do make extra copies available for purchase for $25 for members and $30 for non-members.

This guidebook is a detailed book that contains the roles and responsibilities of county elected offices and the Indiana Code that determines those responsibilities. Because the roles of county government sometimes changes when new laws are introduced this guidebook is updated every two years. The 2017 guidebook is now available but quantities are limited. Order while supplies last.

Click on the attached order form for more information.

Click here to download order form

AIC 2016 Annual County Factbooks Available

The AIC Annual County Factbook is a 181 page resource that offers detailed salaries for the most common job titles in county government. Detailed information on employee benefits and personnel numbers for county departments are also included along with budget information, road information, tax information, etc.

Data for most counties is available and is grouped by population type, making it easy to compare your county's data with similiar-sized counties.

Counties receive three complimentary copies which were mailed in August to the County Auditor for distribution - one each to the commissioner president, county president and county auditor.

Click here to download the order form.
Apex Health Benefits Tips

Keep your heart healthy in 2017 with the Live It Up campaign, brought to you by your Apex Health Management Team!  Attached are resources to help you spread the word to your employees on health and wellness.  
 
  1.  American Heart Month - February is National Heart Awareness Month! Your heart is  such an important muscle and it is very important that you take care of it. Check out  this month's flyer for more helpful tips and information on heart health!
  2. Apex Health Recipe:  Prepare a large batch of favorite recipes on your day off (double or triple the recipe). Freeze in individual containers and use them throughout the week to save time.
In Good Health,
 
Apex Wellness Team