Putnam County earns Local Government Corporation Award

We are Putnam County. We are more than just Cloverdale, Bainbridge, Roachdale, Russellville, Fillmore or the City of Greencastle. This award shows that we are one community,

It has been said that the government that works best is one that works for its constituents, and such is the case in Putnam County as local officials recently were awarded a 2024 Local Government Corporation Award by the Association of Indiana Counties. 

The honor was the result of cities and towns, as well as the county working together on a comprehensive plan, which sets the entire county up for ways to revitalize zoning and growth. Bainbridge, Roachdale, Russellville, Cloverdale, Fillmore and Greencastle officials all worked together to form a Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance that provides a cohesive framework for the entire county, with tailored plans for each town. 

Lisa Zeiner, Planning Director for Putnam County, said winning the award made the work that went into getting it worth it. 

"Winning the Collaboration Award made all the hard work, all the meetings, all the struggle of getting it just right worth it. It may not be an Emmy or an Oscar, but that feeling of accomplishment, of pulling together all the right people to develop a plan that benefits the community not just the unincorporated areas, but also the towns, that protects the landowner, and property values was worth every ounce of effort poured into these plans and policies," Zeiner told The Putnam County Post.

Zeiner said it was important to understand the award shows that it is a one community mindset that makes things possible. 

"We are Putnam County. We are more than just Cloverdale, Bainbridge, Roachdale, Russellville, Fillmore or the City of Greencastle. This award shows that we are one community, made up of smaller parts, but still one. We all see the struggle when government leaders don't work together. There is division, strife and bickering. Whether that is at the national or state level, it also happens at the local level," she said. 

In order to win the award, Putnam County had to meet the following criteria: cooperation between one or more municipalities and county(s), show innovation, a positive impact on the community and the participating governmental units and potential for the activity to serve as a model for other local governments. 

"The Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance blurs the division lines. It showcases that the county, and each participating town are stronger when we work together. When it comes to the UDO, it helps builders, contractors, and developers know that it doesn't matter if they are working in one of the towns or in the unincorporated part of the county, the regulations are the same. Instead of going to two or three different places to get approvals, in most cases they only go to one place. Therefore, streamlining the process and wait time," Zeiner said.