FORT WAYNE — Daviess County Government has been honored with a major statewide award for its comprehensive restoration of the historic Daviess County Courthouse.
The Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) presented Daviess County with the 2026 County Achievement Award during the organization’s annual conference in Allen County.
The award recognizes innovative projects that demonstrate exceptional stewardship of public resources, provide significant community impact, and serve as an operational model for Indiana’s 92 counties.
Originally constructed in 1927–1928, the Daviess County Courthouse underwent an extensive renovation designed to preserve its historic architectural character while modernizing interior systems, technology, and accessibility to serve local residents for generations to come.
Other Award Winners Honored at the AIC Conference
The annual AIC conference brings together county officials from across Indiana to celebrate leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and individual excellence in local governance. Several other notable awards were presented alongside Daviess County’s project recognition:
- 2026 Outstanding County Auditor Award: Presented to Jennifer Welsh, Daviess County Auditor, recognizing her exceptional leadership, public service, and financial oversight within Daviess County and across statewide county government associations.
- 2026 Local Government Cooperation Award: Awarded to Bartholomew County for its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, honoring inter-agency collaboration in public safety and law enforcement.
- 2026 Outstanding Recorder Award: Awarded to Tami Hines, Bartholomew County Recorder, recognizing her years of dedicated service and contributions to county record-keeping.
Key Summary: AIC 2026 Award Highlights
| Category / Award | Recipient | Key Achievement / Focus |
| County Achievement Award | Daviess County Government | Historic 1927–28 Courthouse restoration and modernization. |
| Outstanding County Auditor | Jennifer Welsh (Daviess County) | Exemplary public service and fiscal leadership. |
| Local Government Cooperation | Bartholomew County ICAC Task Force | Multi-agency law enforcement collaboration. |
| Outstanding County Recorder | Tami Hines (Bartholomew County) | Distinguished service and record management excellence. |
The winning counties and individual award recipients were chosen by an evaluation committee made up of elected county officials from across Indiana.
