Local officials discuss cybersecurity, public health funding, workforce retention

Several of Hamilton County’s local elected officials recently attended the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) Annual Conference.

County Clerk Kathy Williams, County Recorder Trini Beaver, Council Councilman Brad Beaver, County Surveyor Kent Ward, and County Commissioners Christine Altman, Steve Dillinger, and Mark Heirbrandt were among over 650 county officials and county employees who attended the AIC Annual Conference, which was held Sept. 23 to 26 in Switzerland County. Officials in attendance also discussed the issue of the future of local government funding while at the conference.

The 66th annual conference offered county officials a wide variety of professional development courses as well as opportunities to network with their peers. State officials provided updates on relevant issues facing county government. 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: Retirement, Transportation, Public Records, Human Resources, Elections, Public Health Funding, Cybersecurity and the Future of Local Funding. AIC’s members discussed the 2025 legislative platform, which covers key issues facing counties such as county finances, criminal justice, public safety, elections and transportation.

In addition, the annual election of officers was held and Kosciusko County Councilwoman Sue Ann Mitchell was elected President of the AIC Board of Directors. Mitchell, who is serving as the board’s First Vice President, will officially begin her new term as President on Nov. 1.