Marion County commissioners voted to schedule a review and formal vote on a memorandum of understanding to host the National Association of Counties annual conference in Indianapolis in July 2028, setting the vote for Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. in Room 260 of the City-County Building.

David Bauer, executive director of the Association of Indiana Counties, introduced the proposal and said Marion County and the City of Indianapolis would serve as the host committee. "We're here to talk about the National Association of Counties, which also Marion County, City of Indianapolis is a member of that," Bauer said during the Nov. 5 special meeting.

Jack Peterson, managing director of membership and events for the National Association of Counties, described the conference timeline and scale. He gave tentative dates of Friday, July 21, through Monday, July 24, 2028, with pre-conference events extending the program to five or six days. Peterson said the annual NACo conference typically draws more than 3,000 total attendees, including more than 2,000 county elected and appointed officials, and that hosts generally contract 2,000-plus room nights on peak.

Peterson also summarized Visit Indys initial economic-impact estimate for the 2028 event: roughly $4,100,000 in direct economic activity and about $800,000 in tax revenue, while saying the final impact could be closer to $6 million to $7 million after affiliate organizations and additional spending are included. "We would expect the final number to be closer to the 6 or $7,000,000 range when all is said and done," Peterson said.

NACo and the Association of Indiana Counties told commissioners that host responsibilities fall mainly into two categories: promotion and content. Peterson said hosts are asked to help promote the event, supply speakers or session ideas, and take part in planning mobile workshops and receptions that showcase local projects. Financial support varies by host; organizers said some host committees provide direct contributions while others rely on fundraising and in-kind discounts from venues and local partners.

Bauer said the Association of Indiana Counties would provide staff support and assist with corporate outreach. Peterson noted that Visit Indy had already offered preliminary venue discounts and that in-kind services and venue concessions often reduce the hosts cash commitment.

One commissioner voiced concern about the size of the fundraising commitment, citing an example figure. "My only concernis the commitment of raising whether it's $475,000 or whatever that number may be," the commissioner said, while also expressing support for hosting if the fundraising plan is manageable.

After discussion, a commissioner proposed reviewing the revised memorandum of understanding and bringing that document back for a vote at the commission's next meeting. The motion was seconded, commissioners voted by voice and the chair announced, "Motion carries." The commission set the review and vote for Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. in Room 260.

Representatives from NACo and the Association of Indiana Counties said they would continue site visits with local partners (Leah Rivera, NACo director of conferences, and other staff were on a concurrent site visit) and work with the county and Visit Indy on logistics, sponsorship packages and planning committee membership.

The March 1987 conference was noted as the last time Indianapolis hosted NACo; speakers said hosting would showcase Marion County projects and bring national county officials to central Indiana.

The meeting adjourned after the vote. No final funding commitments or exact host contribution amounts were adopted during the Nov. 5 meeting; the Nov. 18 agenda item will contain the revised memorandum of understanding for formal consideration.