Oct. 2—INDIANAPOLIS — An elected member of local government has been recognized with a statewide award.

The Association of Indiana Counties has announced that Decatur County Council member Deanna Burkhart received the 2023 Outstanding County Council Member Award. The award recognized her contributions made to county government throughout her years of public service.

Burkhart is in her second term on the Decatur County Council. She serves on several committees including the Compensation Committee, ARPA Committee, Economic Development Board and 4-H Fairgrounds Committee.

She also serves as a member of her regions READI Team that created a Regional Development Authority and secured funding for a $10 million aquatic center.

Burkhart serves as the secretary to the Indiana County Councils Association. In her leadership role with the Association, she helps plan the Association's events, assists in creating a strategic communication plan with council members, the public and legislators.

Burkhart testified on behalf of the Association several times in the most recent session of the General Assembly. She also helped Decatur County successfully gain passage of new legislation allowing a local option for Decatur County to implement a new food and beverage tax.

The award was presented during the AIC's 65th Annual Conference in Orange County on Wednesday, Sept. 27. 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 Public Access Laws, Budgeting Best Practices, Technology, Human Resources Challenges, Road Funding, Public and Mental Health, Regional Tourism, and Natural Resource Matters.

For more information about the AIC or the Annual Conference, contact Elizabeth Mallers at emallers@indianacounties.org.

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

The various functions of the AIC 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.