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Program
For a PDF file of the conference program to be distributed at the event, click here.
Tuesday, January 19
| 2:00 p.m. –5:00 p.m. |
Boot Camp Registration |
| 4:00 p.m. –5:00 p.m. |
Early-Bird Workshops
The IACT Medical Trust – A Cost Savings Tool for Covering Rising Healthcare Expenses
This workshop will introduce attendees to IACT’s newest program to help address shrinking municipal budgets. This one-hour session will help city and town officials understand the different Trust offerings as well as what it means to become a member. This hour could help you begin putting your community on a path to more predictable healthcare costs.
Basic Training: Advocating for your Community and IACT at the Indiana Statehouse
Attend this workshop to gain a better understanding of how you can be influential with lawmakers and make a difference for your community and communities all around the state. Rhonda will guide you through how to contact lawmakers, testify on bills and stay informed of and involved with IACT’s initiatives during the legislative session.
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| 5:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m. |
Welcome Reception at Colts Grille |
Wednesday, January 20
8:00 a.m. –9:00 a.m.
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Registration |
| 8:00 a.m. –9:00 a.m. |
Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m. |
Opening General Session
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| 10:15 a.m. –11:30 a.m. |
Concurrent Workshops
The following workshops will discuss legal structure and framework of municipalities, the function and responsibilities of different municipal officials, appointment authority and responsibility and how all municipal office holders can work together to accomplish the objectives of the community.
Class 1 & 2 Cities
Class 3 Cities
Towns above 2,000
Towns below 2,000
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| 11:45 a.m. –1:15 p.m. |
Luncheon & Featured Speaker |
| 1:30 p.m. –7:00 p.m. |
Exhibit Hall Open |
2:30 p.m. –3:30 p.m.
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Concurrent Workshops
Public Records & Open Door Law
Municipalities are required for meetings of governing bodies to be open to the public, and to allow access to public records. This workshop will discuss the public notice and public record requirements, outline the narrow exceptions, and provide tips for compliance.
Public Safety
Ensuring public safety is an important role of the municipal official. This experienced panel will discuss the basics of public safety, including appointments of chiefs, structuring of departments, and relations between the elected and appointed officials. The panel will discuss personnel costs in public safety, including fringe benefits.
Ethics & Conflict of Interest
Local officials are faced with ethical situations that could lead to criminal prosecutions and jail. In addition to statutory requirements, there are often provisions in local ordinances establishing ethical boundaries. There is also potential political fallout from ethical situations. Workshop discussion will focus on all three and what you should do.
Public Works & Utilities
This workshop will familiarize local government officials with issues related to public works such as street programs and maintenance, sewers, and solid waste. The panel will also provide an overview of municipal utilities including water, electric, and gas, including how rates are established.
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| 3:45 p.m. –4:45 p.m. |
Concurrent Workshops
Public Records & Open Door Law
Municipalities are required for meetings of governing bodies to be open to the public, and to allow access to public records. This workshop will discuss the public notice and public record requirements, outline the narrow exceptions, and provide tips for compliance.
Code Enforcement
Many municipal ordinances have penalties for violations. This workshop will review the process for cities and towns to enforce their ordinances, particularly those addressing nuisances such as dilapidated housing, weeds, junk cars, and trash. There will also be discussion on steps that can be taken to remedy the nuisance prior to fines being assessed.
Ethics & Conflict of Interest
Local officials are faced with ethical situations that could lead to criminal prosecutions and jail. In addition to statutory requirements, there are often provisions in local ordinances establishing ethical boundaries. There is also potential political fallout from ethical situations. Workshop discussion will focus on all three and what you should do.
Quality of Life
Tax structure and incentives still have a key role in economic development and job growth. However, communities who concentrate on building quality places where people want to live and educate their children or grow old in their homes are the communities that are attracting investment. Employers, today, are following the talent and the talent is in search of a hometown that is vibrant, active, thoughtful and impeccably maintained. Participants in this workshop will receive an overview of the market fundamentals that drive quality of life investments and the role talent attraction and people-focused strategies now play in the success of Hoosier municipalities.
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| 5:30 p.m. –7:00 p.m. |
Exhibit Hall Reception |
| 7:00 p.m. |
Dinner |
Thursday, January 21
| 7:30 a.m. –8:30 a.m. |
Continental Breakfast
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| 8:30 a.m. –9:30 a.m. |
Peer Networking Sessions
A question and answer session that offers the opportunity for attendees to hear from a panel of seasoned municipal officials who hold the same position about how they do their job.
Mayors
City Council Members
Town Council Members
Fiscal Officers & Clerks
Town Managers
Department Heads & Staff
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| 9:45 a.m. –10:45 a.m. |
Concurrent Workshops
Budgets
This workshop will provide attendees with an introduction to municipal budgeting by defining frequently used terms and giving a brief overview of the budgeting process. The roles of the State Board of Accounts and the Department of Local Government will be described. Two elected officials will discuss their experiences and involvement in the budget process and what one should expect.
Human Resources
Personal services, the category for employee wages and benefits, is the largest component of the municipal budget. Since personnel decisions greatly influence municipal governance, this workshop will provide basic information for the elected or appointed official concerning personnel issues. Panelists will also discuss some of the major laws and regulations affecting human resources such as OSHA, FLSA, ADA, ADEA, and FMLA.
Contracts & Purchasing
All cities and towns purchase goods, supplies and materials. Municipalities also contract for the renovation or construction of buildings, structures, and streets. This workshop will review statutory requirements for purchasing, and contracting for public construction, such as when formal bidding is required, recordkeeping, quoting procedures, and use of the entities workforce for smaller construction projects.
Public Finance
Increasing demands for police and fire protection, environmental infrastructure, roads and streets, and effective economic development make effective municipal financial management important. This panel of experts will discuss the basics of municipal finance.
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| 11:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. |
Concurrent Workshops
Code Enforcement
Many municipal ordinances have penalties for violations. This workshop will review the process for cities and towns to enforce their ordinances, particularly those addressing nuisances such as dilapidated housing, weeds, junk cars, and trash. There will also be discussion on steps that can be taken to remedy the nuisance prior to fines being assessed.
Human Resources
Personal services, the category for employee wages and benefits, is the largest component of the municipal budget. Since personnel decisions greatly influence municipal governance, this workshop will provide basic information for the elected or appointed official concerning personnel issues. Panelists will also discuss some of the major laws and regulations affecting human resources such as OSHA, FLSA, ADA, ADEA, and FMLA.
Public Meeting Management
While citizen participation in the governmental process is a pillar of our democracy, the expression of diverse opinions in a public forum can present many challenges for municipal officials. This workshop will address the requirements and limitations of Indiana’s Open Door Law as well as relevant case law. Our discussion will focus mainly on the critical balance between conducting fair, efficient and productive public meetings and protecting the First Amendment Rights of your citizens. Participants will learn practical strategies for promoting citizen input, while maintaining appropriate and constructive decorum at public meetings.
Transportation Funding
A key component for building quality places is building and maintaining quality infrastructure. How we fund local roads and streets in Indiana is complex and inadequate for a 21st Century economy. This workshop will explain the funding mechanisms currently in place for the care and growth of our city and town streets, and the statewide efforts to streamline and increase infrastructure funding that is desperately needed.
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| 12:15 p.m. –1:45 p.m. |
Closing Luncheon |
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