2026 Annual Conference Schedule

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Clearwater Lobby

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

New Commissioner Reception
Clearwater Ballroom

Sponsored by Garmong Construction

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Clearwater Lobby

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

BREAKFAST
Keystone/Crosspointe
Sponsored by A & Z Engineering & Resolution Group

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

NEW COMMISSIONER TRAINING (open to all)

Clearwater Ballroom

Welcome to the ICC – Introductions/Roles/Handbook with Rick Hall and ICC Executive Board
Ethics with Dustin Meeks, Barnes and Thornburg
Open Door Law with Tiffany Costley, Johnson County Attorney
Roles and Responsibilities in the Budget and Claims Process with Jacque Clements, AIC

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Plaza Ballroom
Please be sure to visit the participating exhibitors who support our association

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

LUNCH
Buffet in main Exhibit Hall; seating in Suites 2-7
Sponsored by A & Z Engineering & Resolution Group
Please be sure to visit the participating exhibitors who support our association

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

OPENING SESSION

Clearwater Ballroom
Welcome
Posting of the Colors by Indiana State Police
Presidents Remarks
Introduction of Executive Sponsors
Awards Ceremony
Elections
Keynote Speaker

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

ICC DISTRICT MEETINGS
Sponsored by VS Engineering

Northwest District          Suite 16
Northeast District          Suite 13/14
West Central District     Suite 12
East Central District      Suite 11
Southwest District         Suite 15
Southeast District         Metro Suite

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

AFFILIATE BREAKOUT SESSIONS

County Auditors            Suite 2/3
County Administrators  Keystone Boardroom
IACHES                        Crosspointe Suite

3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

GRAND OPENING RECEPTION/EXHIBIT HALL TIME
Plaza Ballroom and Suite 8, 9, 10

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

REGISTRATION OPEN
Clearwater Lobby

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

BREAKFAST
Keystone/Crosspointe
Sponsored by A & Z Engineering & Resolution Group

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

IACHES Meeting
Suite 16

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Shaping Indiana's Future:  Legislative Updates and County Advocacy
Clearwater Ballroom
Sponsored by Volt Strategies

The 2026 session brought forward major legislation that will shape counties for years to come - and the 2027 session is already on the horizon. This panel will break down what passed, what’s next, and why it matters for your county. More importantly, it will give commissioners practical strategies to be active voices at the Statehouse and back home. Learn how to build relationships with legislators, effectively advocate for your county’s priorities, and translate that advocacy into stronger outcomes in your own community. This is your opportunity to understand the issues, sharpen your influence, and walk away with tools to make sure your county’s voice is heard where it matters most.

Speakers: Suzie Weirick, ICC President and Elkhart County Commissioner (Moderator)
Mark Heirbrandt, ICC Legislative Chair and Hamilton County Commissioner
Jake German, Barnes and Thornburg
Sydnee Cseresznyes, Volt Strategies 

10:00 AM - 10:50AM

When Infrastructure Fails: Is Your County Ready?
Clearwater Ballroom

It’s 6:30 AM. A major storm has dropped 5 inches of rain overnight. Two county roads are flooded, a bridge has been damaged, a school bus route is blocked, and your highway department has limited equipment and personnel.  What happens next?

Infrastructure failures rarely happen at a convenient time. A washed-out road, damaged bridge, or unexpected closure can quickly become a public safety, mobility, and financial challenge for a county. This session will help county commissioners understand how asset management, risk assessment, roadway safety, and emergency preparedness work together to help counties prepare for and respond to infrastructure disruptions.

Speakers: Hancock County Commissioner Bill Spalding (Moderator)
Richard Domonkos, LTAP
Jennifer Sharkey, LTAP
Patrick Conner, LTAP
Robert Hart, LTAP

10:50AM - 11:00 AM

Clearwater Lobby
Sponsored by West Side Tractor Sales

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Property Tax and Locale Income Tax Update
Clearwater Ballroom

Indiana’s property tax and local income tax systems continue to evolve, creating important implications for county governments and local elected officials. This workshop will provide an overview of current implementation of recent changes affecting local government revenue under SEA1-2025 and HEA1210-2026. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the changes, an overview of the MUST committee process across the state, and potential actions in the upcoming legislative session.

Speakers: Wayne County Commissioner Jeff Plasterer or Chris Switzer (Moderator)
Baker Tilly
Jamie Bolser, Association of Indiana Counties
Campbell Ricci, Accelerate Indiana Municipalities 

11:45 PM - 1:15 PM

Buffet in main Exhibit Hall; seating in Suites 2-7
Sponsored by A&Z Engineering and Resolution Group
Please be sure to visit the participating exhibitors who support our association

1:15PM - 2:15 PM

AI in County Government:  Opportunities, Risks, and Applications
Clearwater Ballroom

This panel discussion will explore how counties are using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve government operations, enhance public services, and better serve residents. Panelists will share real-world examples of AI applications in areas such as constituent services, communications, data analysis, permitting, public safety, workforce productivity, and administrative processes. The discussion will also address important considerations for county leaders, including data privacy and security, accuracy and transparency, workforce impacts, responsible use, governance, and public trust. County elected officials will gain practical insights into where AI can add value, the questions leaders should ask before implementing AI tools, and how counties can approach this rapidly evolving technology in a thoughtful and responsible manner.

Speakers: Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt (Moderator)
Colin Stauffer, Big Impact Group
Kent Kroft, Tippecanoe County CIO
Moser Consulting 

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Township Reform & the Future of Local Fire Protection
Clearwater Ballroom

Indiana’s 2026 legislative changes are creating a new environment for township government, local service delivery, and fire protection. Senate Enrolled Act 270 establishes a framework for evaluating and implementing township mergers. This educational workshop will provide county elected officials with a practical overview of SEA 270 and the future of fire protection and emergency services in Indiana. The workshop will move beyond the statutory language to address the practical questions facing local officials.

Speakers: Clark County Commissioner Jack Coffman (Moderator)
Brian Baird, ICC Past President and Johnson County Commissioner
Richard Beck, Allen County Commissioner 
Dan Shackle, FBT Gibbons 

3:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Clearwater Lobby
Sponsored by West Side Tractor Sales

3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Building a Stronger Community: Jasper County’s Example                       Suite 3
Jasper County collaborated with the City of Rensselaer to build on the success of the downtown revitalization project by continuing investments that strengthened the historic Jasper County courthouse square as a civic, commercial, and community gathering destination. The project reflected a strong local partnership among county, municipal, community, and private stakeholders, and demonstrated how targeted public investment and partnership converted infrastructure improvements into sustained programming, economic activity, and long-term community benefit.

Speakers: Howard County Commissioner Jack Dodd (Moderator)
Rein Bontreger, Jasper County Commissioner
Brandon Schreeg, Kimley-Horn
Miles Demerly, Kimley-Horn

Funding Local Stormwater and Drainage Infrastructure                         Suite 4
Sponsored by Christopher B. Burke Engineering

Counties are facing increasing fiscal pressure to maintain aging drainage and stormwater infrastructure while responding to more frequent and intense rainfall events. Traditional funding sources often fall short of providing stable, long-term support for these systems. This session explores how counties can generate sustainable revenue through the establishment of stormwater utilities or the strategic use of regulated drain assessments. Using real-world examples and applied GIS-based analysis, the session will illustrate how counties can develop equitable fee or assessment frameworks that link revenue generation to measurable service benefits, such as reduced flooding risk, improved water quality, and enhanced asset management. Attendees will gain insight into data requirements, stakeholder communication strategies, and coordination with county surveyors, drainage boards, and municipal partners. This session is intended for county officials seeking defensible, transparent, and locally controlled funding mechanisms to meet evolving stormwater and drainage obligations.

Speakers: St. Joseph County Commissioner Carl Baxmeyer or Bob Davis (Moderator)
Christopher B. Burke Engineering
Lochmueller Group

Rural Health in Indiana: Challenges and Opportunities                           Suite 5  
Rural communities across Indiana face unique health challenges—and county elected officials play an important role in shaping the local conditions that influence health and access to care. This workshop will bring together county commissioners, health system leaders, and the Indiana Department of Health to explore the current rural health landscape and the role of local government in strengthening community health. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the challenges facing rural communities, examples of local and regional approaches, and ideas for how county leaders can work with healthcare providers, public health agencies, and community partners to support healthier communities.

Speakers: Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt or Tracy Brown or Drew Storey (Moderator)
Dr. Greg Johnson, Parkview Health
Dr. Eric Yazel, IDOH

The Present and Future of Housing in Indiana                                        Suite 6
This session will bring together community leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities facing local housing markets. Panelists will discuss housing availability and affordability, workforce housing needs, development trends, financing and infrastructure considerations, and the role counties can play in supporting a healthy and diverse housing supply in light of HEA1001. The conversation will provide county elected officials with practical perspectives on emerging housing issues, successful approaches from other communities, and strategies for working with municipalities, developers, employers, and community organizations. The goal is to equip county leaders with actionable insights to help address local housing needs and support sustainable economic and community growth.

Speakers: Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick (Moderator)
Jake Teshka, State Representative
Ryan Keller, Thrive West Central

County Administrators: Implementing the Vision                                     Suite 7        
County elected officials set the vision, establish policy priorities, and are accountable to the public. County administrators play a critical role in helping make those priorities a reality. This presentation will explore how county administrators support elected officials and strengthen county government through effective leadership, strategic planning, financial management, organizational coordination, and day-to-day oversight. It will examine the administrator’s role as a bridge between policy and implementation—helping ensure that board decisions are carried out efficiently, resources are aligned with priorities, departments are working toward common goals, and county operations remain focused on serving residents.

Speakers: Allen County Chief of Staff Chris Cloud (Moderator)
Dennis Dawes, Hendricks County Commissioner
Todd McCormack, Executive Director to the Hendricks County Commissioners
Jim Fulwider, Montgomery County Commissioner
Tom Klein, Montgomery County Administrator
Brian Amick, Jefferson County Archivist/Project Manager 

9:00 PM - 11:00 PM

COUNTY FAIR
Plaza Ballroom

Entertainment and Prizes (must be present to win)

Evening available for individual activities and dinner.
Hospitality Suites will be open until wee hours

7:30 AM - 10:00 AM

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
KeystoneCrosspointe Suite
Sponsored by A&Z Engineering and Resolution Group

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Data Centers:  Loudoun County (VA) and St. Joseph County
Clearwater Ballroom

As data center development expands across Indiana, county officials are increasingly tasked with evaluating the opportunities, challenges, and long-term implications these projects present for their communities. This session will explore the facts about data centers, with focused case studies on Loudoun County, Virginia and St. Joseph County, Indiana. Participants will examine key considerations related to land use and zoning, infrastructure and utility capacity, economic development, tax revenues, community impacts, and long-term planning. Attendees will gain practical insights into the questions local governments should ask, the trade-offs they should consider, and the tools available to make informed decisions about data center proposals. The session is designed to help county officials better understand this evolving industry and prepare their communities for development decisions that balance economic opportunity with local priorities and quality of life.

Speakers: Jackson County Commissioner Drew Storey (Moderator)
Buddy Rizer, Loudoun County (VA) Economic Development
Jeff Rea, South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce
Andy Lemberis, DLZ
Rick Hall, Barnes and Thornburg 

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Nuclear Energy in Indiana:  What's Coming
Clearwater Ballroom

This presentation will provide county elected officials with an overview of nuclear energy and will include how nuclear power works, current and emerging nuclear technologies, safety and emergency preparedness, environmental considerations, economic development opportunities, and the potential impacts on local communities. The presentation will also detail the new Advanced Nuclear Ready Communities program administered by the State of Indiana and outline key considerations for county leaders as they evaluate potential nuclear projects or related energy initiatives.

Speakers: Spencer County Commissioner Heather Gries (Moderator)
Jon Ford, Indiana Office of Energy Development
Jim Merritt, Indiana Nuclear Power Association

Important: There will be a raffle for Indiana Pacers courtside tickets during the last session on Thursday! Must be present to win. Thank you to LD Mechanical for sponsoring this special raffle.