INDIANAPOLIS — Brown County Commissioner Diana Biddle was elected to serve as the president of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners (IACC) next year.

Biddle was elected as president of the IACC’s Board of Directors during the annual conference. The board determines policies and legislative goals for the association.

Huntington County Commissioner Tom Wall said that Biddle will be “a great spokesperson for our association and is very dedicated to improving local government,” according to a press release from the IACC.

As president, Biddle will represent the elected county commissioners in all 92 counties.

Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt was elected vice president. Dubois County Commissioner Elmer Brames was elected treasurer and Knox County Commissioner Kellie Streeter was elected secretary during the meeting as well.

The IACC’s 2021 Annual Conference is the largest gathering of county commissioners in the state.

The three-day conference included several different workshops and breakout sessions that were designed specifically for county commissioners and their support staff.

Biddle and others attended several training workshops concerning county-related topics. Training sessions focused on American Rescue Plan Act funding, 2022 legislative priorities, “how to tell your story,” Open Door Law, mental health and addiction strategies, cyber security, road funding and more in their training sessions.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch was the keynote speaker for the conference. State Sen. Rodric Bray, leader of the Indiana Senate as the president pro tempore, and Rep. Greg Steuerwald, majority House caucus chair, addressed attendees as well during a legislative update.

The IACC is a nonprofit organization established to provide the “best education, leadership support and advocacy services for state county commissioners to strengthen their influence throughout Indiana,” the press release states.

Various functions of the IACC include serving as liaison among counties, state and federal agencies, lobbying the Indiana General Assembly on behalf of county commissioners as well as providing technical assistance and training to county commissioners and support staff.

“It is truly an honor and privilege to be elected to represent the Indiana Association of County Commissioners during 2022,” Biddle said.

“Local county governments face many challenges in the upcoming year from COVID relief, ARPA and infrastructure funding, to issues related to mental health and local road funding, plus much more. As president of IACC, I will voice our concerns to our state and federal legislators, and represent our association and our state to the best of my ability.”