Published: October 12, 2009 10:29 pm         

Newsmakers: Oct. 13, 2009

The Association of Indiana Counties has named Vigo County Commissioner Judy Anderson the 2009 Outstanding County Commissioner.

The award is in recognition of her contributions made to county government throughout her years of public service.

Nominees and winners for this award each year are chosen by county commissioners from across the state. The award was presented recently during the group’s annual conference, the largest gathering of county officials in the state.

The four-day conference included 11 different workshops, and breakout sessions that were designed specifically for each county office. County officials also had informal opportunities to discuss issues with their colleagues from other areas of the state.

Officials met at the French Lick Resort in Orange County to discuss and offer solutions for issues facing local governments in the state.

Representatives from public agencies, private entities, universities and local elected officials addressed issues such as government modernization, the development of clean energy, how to balance shrinking revenues and the need for services provided by county government, cyclical reassessments, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Troubled Asset Relief Program Funds and increasing efficiencies in local government.

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

The various functions of the group 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.