Legislative Priorities

Counties across Indiana serve as the foundational unit for various essential services—spanning public safety, elections, economic development, infrastructure, public health, and more. Because county operations are significantly impacted by legislative changes from the Indiana General Assembly, it is critical to maintain and strengthen the partnership between state and county governments. The Indiana County Commissioners (ICC) continue to provide vigilant legislative advocacy and timely updates to members, ensuring that county governments remain informed and engaged.

Home Rule

The ICC advocates strongly for expanded local autonomy, enabling counties to address their own unique challenges through Home Rule authority. By promoting legislation that lessens state restrictions on county decision-making, ICC works to ensure counties can tailor policies and programs for their constituents. During the shortened session, it will be especially important to advance Home Rule initiatives quickly, potentially focusing on specific targeted reforms that have broad consensus among partner stakeholders and legislators.

Local Government Reform

The ICC supports a process for local government reform that is directed by county officials, recognizing the diversity of needs across Indiana’s counties. Key priorities include streamlining overlapping jurisdictional operations, consolidating services where practical, and maintaining high standards for public safety and emergency response. Given the reduced legislative calendar, ICC’s strategy will focus on advocating for reforms with regards to townships with demonstrable efficiency gains and consensus support and may include supporting ready-to-enact model legislation or statutory timelines to facilitate swift passage.

Local Revenue

Counties need a fair and flexible tax structure that allows them to generate sufficient revenue for essential services. ICC emphasizes preserving local control over tax revenues and opposes measures that centralize tax authority or impose unfunded mandates. In a condensed session, quick advocacy for protecting existing local revenue sources and for any needed adjustments (such as increased flexibility for local income or property taxes) will be critical. ICC will prioritize efforts to ensure any new legislation does not inadvertently reduce county revenue or impair counties' fiscal autonomy. This includes an examination of township reform and the shift of or consolidation of services.

Infrastructure Funding

ICC backs reliable and growing funding mechanisms for local infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and related assets. Counties rely on a collaborative partnership with the state to maintain and improve infrastructure, which is key to economic growth and quality of life. ICC will advocate for continued and fair distribution of infrastructure dollars, protection against double taxation, and long-term funding sustainability.

Health

ICC’s commitment to public health remains strong. Advocacy will center on ensuring full funding for Health First Indiana and other programs that support community health needs. In a shortened, non-budget session, emphasis will be placed on augmenting existing appropriations from the 2025 Session, supporting proven programs, and preventing any legislative programmatic changes that would negatively impact county health services.