2022 Counties

A County Health Department has the powers and duties set out in IC 16-20-1 and IC 16-20-8, except for health departments in a county with a consolidated city. Local Health Departments within a county that has a consolidated city are not subject to the above chapters. They are subject to IC 16-22-8.

The County Health Department, except for a county containing a consolidated city, is an agency of the county and is administratively responsible to the county executive. [IC 16-20-1-2]

The Board of each County Health Department may adopt procedural rules for the Boardσ guidance and to establish administrative and personnel policies of the County Health Department that are consistent with the administrative operating policy of the Board of County Commissioners. [IC 16-20-1-3]

The Board of the County Health Department shall prescribe the duties of all officers and employees. [IC 16-20-1-9]

County health officers may appoint and employ public health nurses, environmental health specialists, computer programmers, clerks, other personnel and an administrator of public health, subject to the confirmation of the County Board of Health, as is necessary and reasonable to carry out and perform the duties of the County Health Department.

The public health personnel of county health departments:

1. Must meet the minimum qualification requirements of the County Board of Health;
2. By local ordinance, become part of the county classification system for the respective public health personnel positions; and
3. Shall perform additional duties prescribed by the rules of the state department and County Board of Health under general supervision of the county health officer. [IC 16-20-1-14]

A health officer may, on behalf of the County Board of Health, receive financial assistance from an individual, an organization, or the state or federal government. The financial assistance must be approved by the county executive and the County Board of Health. [IC 16-20-1-18]

The Board of the County Health Department may enter into a contract with the state department, other local boards of health, other units of government, a private individual, or a corporation for the provision of health services within the board’s jurisdiction. This includes the ability to contract for or purchase planning services considered essential to the development of an effective community health program. These private contracts are subject to approval of the county executive. [IC 16-20-1-8]

The county executives of at least two (2) adjacent counties may establish and maintain a Multiple County Health Department if certain conditions are met:

1. The state department approves the establishment of a Multiple County Health Department.
2. The county executive of each county of the involved counties approves a separate ordinance establishing a Multiple County Health Department.

Upon establishment of a Multiple County Health Department, the county executives shall notify the State Department of Health of the action. [IC 16-20-3-1]

The State Board of Accounts is empowered to formulate, prescribe and install a uniform system of accounting and reporting in each county, pursuant to IC 5-11-1-2. Other laws have extended this power to cover many other forms and records used in counties.

Where a form is prescribed it must be used, without change, in all counties; however, authority is given the State Board of Accounts to approve alternate forms for a county where required to accommodate their use computerized accounting or where other conditions merit approval.

To obtain approval for use of an alternate form for a computerized office three copies thereof must be submitted to the State Board of Accounts with a letter of request. If the change directly affects another public office, the request should also be signed by the official in that office. Approval of an alternate form restricts its use to the county for which approved and does not extend its use to any other county.

Although the State Board of Accounts prescribes forms, copies of the forms must be purchased from a public printer.

The following forms and records have been prescribed by the State Board of Accounts for use of the County Health Department.

An annual report is to be published by the Board of the County Health Department within 90 days after January 1. The annual report is in pamphlet form and for free distribution. The annual report for the previous year shall show the following information:

1. The amount of money received from all sources.
2. The name of any donor.
3. How all money has been expended and for what purpose.
4. Other statistics and information concerning the work of the health department that the board considers to be of general interest. [IC 16-20-1-7]

The county health officer shall keep full and permanent records of the public health work of the department. From these records the officer is to make a monthly report of the work done to the Board of the County Health Department. Upon approval of the board, the report becomes a permanent record. [IC 16-20-1-11]

Additionally, the county health officer is to keep minutes of all meetings of the County Board of Health. This department does not prescribe a Minute Record; however, this is one of the most important records that will be kept by the County Health Department. A standard loose-leaf form of minute book may be used. If the minutes are to be typed, plain sheets should be used. An official action taken by the Board at regular or special meetings should be entered in the Minute Record. This record should be kept current and all minutes signed by the proper official and attested to by the county health officer. [IC 16-20-1-10]

The county health officer is responsible for collecting, recording, and reporting to the State Department of Health the vital statistics within the officerσ area of jurisdiction. The health officer is the registrar of births and deaths. After making a birth or death record, the officer shall forward the original record to the state department by the fourth day of each month. [IC 16-20-1-17]

The State Department of Health shall provide the County Health Department with the forms to be used for food service inspections. [IC 16-20-8-9]

County form 71, Removal of Grave Memorial, shall be available to the public at each County Health Department office. The completed form is to be filed in the office of the County Recorder. [IC 14-21-2]

The county fiscal body shall fix the compensation of the employees of the County Health Department, in the manner provided by IC 36-2-5 or IC 36-3-6, after consideration of the recommendations of the County Board of Health. [IC 16-20-1-15]

Members of the County Board of Health may receive compensation for the performance of their duties as determined by the county fiscal body. [IC 16-20-2-9]

When requested by the State Department of Health, the county health officer or a representative from the County Board of Health shall attend meetings for consultation concerning any matter of public health. The expenses of the county health officer or representative must be paid out of the health fund of the county in an amount determined by the County Board of Health. [IC 16-20-1-13]

The Board of County Health Department shall authorize payment of salaries and all other department expenses from the proper fund. [IC 16-20-1-16]

The Board of Park and Recreation shall exercise general supervision of and make rules for the Park and Recreation Department. The Board shall establish rules governing the use of the park and recreation facilities by the public and provide police protection for its property and activities. The Board is to appoint necessary administrative officers of the Department and fix their duties. The Board has the responsibility to establish standards and qualifications for the appointment of all personnel and to approve their appointments without regard to politics. Recommendations and an annual report to the County Executive and County Council concerning the operation of the Board and the status of park and recreation programs are to be given by the Park and Recreation Board. Additionally, the Board is to submit an annual budget in the same manner as other executive departments. [IC 36-10-3-10]

The Board of Park and Recreation may:

1. Enter into contracts and leases for facilities and services;
2. Contract with persons for joint use of facilities for the operation of park and recreation programs and related services;
3. Contract with another board, a unit, or a school corporation for the use of park and recreation facilities or services, and a township or school corporation may contract with the Board for the use of park and recreation facilities or services;
4. Acquire and dispose of real and personal property, either within or outside Indiana;
5. Sell, lease, or enter into a royalty contract for the natural or mineral resources of land that it owns, the money received to be deposited in a nonreverting capital fund of the Board;
6. Contract for special and temporary services and for professional assistance;
7. Prepare, publish, and distribute reports and other materials relating to activities authorized;
8. Release and transfer, by resolution, a part of the area over which it has jurisdiction for park and recreational purposes to park authorities of another unit for park and recreational purposes upon petition of the Park or Recreation Board of the acquiring unit; and
9. Other powers as listed in IC 36-10-3-11.

The Board may also lease any buildings or grounds belonging to the unit and located within a park to a person for a period not to exceed fifty (50) years. The lease may authorize the lessee to provide upon the premises educational, research, veterinary, or other proper facilities for the exhibition of wild or domestic animals in wildlife parks, dining facilities, swimming facilities, golf courses, skating facilities, dancing facilities, amusement rides generally found in amusement parks, or other recreational facilities. A lease may be made for more than one (1) year only to the highest and best bidder, after notice that the lease will be made has been given by publication in accordance with IC 5-3-1. [IC 36-10-3-11]

The Board may lease buildings or grounds belonging to the unit for a period of more than one (1) year without soliciting the highest and best bidder or providing notice under IC 5-3-1 if:

1. The buildings or grounds are leased to an Indiana nonprofit corporation;
2. The buildings or grounds are operated as a public golf course; and
3. The golf course remains subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Board.

Under the direction of the Board of Parks and Recreation, the Superintendent shall annually plan for the operation of the Department, administer the plan as approved by the Board, and supervise the general administration of the Department. The Superintendent must keep the records of the Department and preserve all papers and documents of the Department. The Superintendent may recommend persons for appointment as assistants and appoint the employees of the Department, subject to the approval of the Board, according to the standards and qualifications fixed by the Board and without regard to political affiliation. An annual report is to be prepared by the Superintendent and presented to the Park and Recreation Board. Additionally, the Superintendent is responsible for all other duties that the Board directs. [IC 36-10-3-14]

If the Board determines that the size of the Department’s operation requires assistants for the Superintendent, the Board may appoint, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, one (1) or more assistants. The Board shall determine their qualifications on a basis similar to that prescribed for the Superintendent. Assistants are directly responsible to the Superintendent and shall perform the duties specified by the Superintendent.

The State Board of Accounts is empowered to formulate, prescribe and install a uniform system of accounting and reporting in each county, pursuant to IC 5-11-1-2. Other laws have extended this power to cover many other forms and records used in counties.

Where a form is prescribed it must be used, without change, in all counties; however, authority is given the State Board of Accounts to approve alternate forms for a county where required to accommodate their use computerized accounting or where other conditions merit approval.

To obtain approval for use of an alternate form for a computerized office three copies thereof must be submitted to the State Board of Accounts with a letter of request. If the change directly affects another public office, the request should also be signed by the official in that office. Approval of an alternate form restricts its use to the county for which approved and does not extend its use to any other county.

Although the State Board of Accounts prescribes forms, copies of the forms must be purchased from a public printer.

The following forms and records have been prescribed by the State Board of Accounts for use of the County.

The members of the Park and Recreation Board may receive a salary in an amount set by the County Council. The fiscal body may also appropriate and approve a per diem allowance to a member of a board for attending a meeting of the Board.

If the Board determines that members or employees should attend a conference dealing with park and recreation problems, the Board may authorize the payment of the actual expenses involved in attending the conference. However, the amount must be available as part of the Board’s appropriation. [36-10-3-9]

Upon request of the Board of Parks and Recreation, the County Council may establish, by ordinance, a special nonreverting capital fund for the purposes of acquiring land or making specific capital improvements. The fiscal body may include in the Board’s annual budget an item and an appropriation for these specific purposes. Money placed in the nonreverting capital fund may not be withdrawn except for the purposes for which the fund was created, unless the fiscal body repeals the ordinance. [IC 36-10-3-20]

The County Council may establish by ordinance, upon the request of the Board, a special nonreverting operating fund for park purposes from which expenditures may be made as provided by the ordinance, either by appropriation by the Board or by the County Council.

Money from either special fund may be disbursed only on approved claims allowed and signed by the President and Secretary of the Board. [IC 36-10-3-22]

The Board may establish a cumulative building fund under IC 6-1.1-41 to provide money for building, remodeling, and repair of park and recreation facilities or purchase of land for park and recreation purposes. In addition to the requirements of IC 6-1.1-41, before a fund may be established, the proposed action must be approved by the County Council. To provide for the cumulative building fund, the County Council may levy a tax in compliance with IC 6-1.1-41 not to exceed one and sixty-seven hundredths cents ($0.0167) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation of taxable property within the county. The tax shall be collected and held in a special fund known as the County Park and Recreation Cumulative Building Fund. [IC 36-10-3-21]

Park and recreation facilities and programs shall be made available to the public free of charge as far as possible. However, if it is necessary in order to provide a particular activity, the board may charge a reasonable fee.

The County Council shall designate the fund or funds into which the County Treasurer shall deposit fees from golf courses, swimming pools, skating rinks, or other major facilities requiring major expenditures for management and maintenance. Money received from fees other than from major facilities or received from the sale of surplus property shall be deposited by the County Treasurer either in the special nonreverting operating fund or in the nonreverting capital fund, as directed by the Board. However, if neither fund has been established, money received from fees or from the sale of surplus property shall be deposited in the unit’s general fund.

Money procured from fees or received from the sale of surplus property under IC 36-10-3-12 shall be deposited at least once each month with the County Treasurer. [IC 36-10-3-22]

The Parks and Recreation Board may accept gifts, donations, and subsidies for park and recreation purposes. However, a gift or transfer of property to the Board may not be made without its approval. A gift or grant of money shall be deposited in a special nonreverting fund to be available for expenditure by the Board for purposes specified by the grantor. The County Auditor may draw warrants against the fund only upon vouchers signed by the President and Secretary of the Board.

If a Board decides to acquire land or proceed with a work of improvement for park and recreation purposes or both, the project may be finance by the issuance of bonds in accordance with IC 36-10-3. [IC 36-10-3-23, IC 36-10-3-24, and IC 36-10-3-25]

All proceeds from the sale of bonds shall be kept in a separate fund. The fund shall be used to pay for land and other property acquired and for the construction of a work under the resolution, including all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the project. The fund may not be used for any other purpose. Any surplus remaining from the proceeds of the bonds after all costs and expenses are paid shall be paid into and becomes a part of the Park District Bond Fund. [IC 36-10-3-26]

In order to raise money to pay all bonds issued under IC 36-10-3-24, the Board shall levy annually a special tax upon all of the real and personal property located in the district sufficient to pay the principal of the bonds as they mature, including accrued interest. The Board shall have the tax to be levied each year certified to the County Auditor for certification of tax levies. The tax shall be collected and enforced by the County Treasurer in the same manner as other taxes are collected and enforced.

As the tax is collected, it is accumulated and kept in a separate fund to be known as the Park District Bond Fund. The tax should be applied to the payment of the bonds and interest as they mature and may not be used for another purpose.

Two (2) or more units of government may create a Joint Department of Parks and Recreation. The Boards of the units that desire to create a Joint Department must agree upon the use of facilities, personnel, the distribution and raising of financial support, and other matters. The agreement may provide:

1. For a Joint Board to supersede the separate Boards; or
2. That the separate Boards be maintained.

After agreement has been reached, the fiscal body of each unit must adopt an ordinance approving the terms of the agreement before the agreement becomes final. Amendments to an agreement may be made by adoption of an ordinance by the fiscal body of each unit. [IC 36-10-3-29]

A Joint Board shall be organized and shall function in the same manner as a separate Board. The Joint Board consists of all the members of the separate Boards. Two-thirds (2/3) of the members constitute a quorum, and official action must be authorized by two-thirds (2/3) of the members. The Joint Board has all of the powers and duties of a separate Board, including the authority to issue bonds of the Joint District. [IC 36-10-3-30]