VOTE411 Voter Guide

The commissioners are the custodians of the home rule powers of the county. Within the scope of home rule, commissioners may adopt and vest themselves with additional regulatory powers.The board of county commissioners as a body has a wide range of executive and administrative authority. Among the most important powers are those related to:● Auditing and authorizing claims against the county. {IC 36-2-6-2}● Receiving bids and authorizing contracts.● Controlling, maintaining, and supervising county property including courthouses, jails, and public offices. {IC 36-2-2-24}● Supervising construction and maintenance of roads and bridges.● Exercising appointive powers including both the selection of members to fill positions on boards, commissions, and committees, and appointments of certain department heads.● Planning and implementing strategies for solid waste handling as members of solid waste district boards. {IC 13-21-3-1}The county commissioners may adopt ordinances regulating behavior. Specifically, they have authority to pass ordinances in the following broad areas:● To provide for traffic control. {IC 8-17- 1-40}● To establish minimum housing standards. {IC 36-7-8-4}● To grant vacation pay, sick leave, paid holidays and other similar benefits to county employees. {IC 5-10-6-1}● To administer elections in conjunction with the county election board. {IC 3-5 and IC 3-6}● To incorporate new towns and alter township boundary lines on petition. {IC 36-6- 1}