Indiana local government websites

• Marion County and Indianapolis are one consolidated government, which is why the Census counts 91 county governments for 92 counties. (U.S. Census Bureau (opens in a new tab))
• Every city and town sits inside a township. Each township has an elected trustee and a township board. (U.S. Census Bureau (opens in a new tab))
• A town's clerk-treasurer keeps its money, accounts and the legislative body's records. A township trustee keeps the township's records open for inspection. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))

• The optional website method means posting the notice on the agency's website at least 48 hours ahead for people who file an annual request. It's in addition to the physical posting, not a replacement. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• Agendas aren't required. A body that uses one posts it at the entrance to the meeting location before the meeting, and an action adopted by referring only to an agenda number is void. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• Memoranda listing the date, members present, the general substance of matters and roll call votes must be available within a reasonable time after the meeting. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• Regular meeting notice can be given once a year, with a new notice when the date, time or place changes. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Since July 1, 2025, any board meeting notice or agenda must also list each appointed member's name, appointing authority, and term start and end dates. The same details go on the board's website or the appointing authority's website, or on the state's IN.gov gateway if neither has one (IC 5-14-9 (opens in a new tab)). The Public Access Counselor's slides (opens in a new tab) include a sample notice.

• The meeting notice must include the website address for the live and archived video. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• With no internet at the meeting place, the body records the meeting instead. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• A copy must be available for inspection, copying or download for at least 90 days. Records retention schedules may require keeping it longer. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab); Indiana Archives and Records Administration (opens in a new tab))
• Equipment failures don't void the meeting, violate the law or create liability. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))

The Office of Technology's revised guidance from August 18, 2026 adds that smaller, non-primary units aren't covered unless they meet in an equipped room, and notes the statute names no particular software (IOT guidance (opens in a new tab)). The counselor has enforced the law: in 25-FC-161 (opens in a new tab) a township that neither streamed nor posted recordings for 90 days was found in violation, while in 25-FC-154 (opens in a new tab) failed equipment was not a violation.

• A request made in person or by phone is denied when the designated records person refuses it, or 24 hours after any employee refuses, whichever comes first. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• The optional portal under HEA 1360 may use CAPTCHA, verify the requester's physical address, show whether the requester lives in Indiana, and track suspected automated or scraping submissions. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab); Frost Brown Todd Gibbons (opens in a new tab))
• An agency may decline requests it suspects are scraping or phishing, and tells the Public Access Counselor within seven days. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• Inspection and searching are free. Copies cost no more than the greater of 10 cents a page (25 cents for color) or actual cost, and certification is capped at $5 a document. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• Since July 1, 2026, a supplemental fee of up to 25 cents a page and $25 an hour may apply to out-of-state requesters, and it can be waived. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))

IC 5-3-5 spells out what a website notice needs, and those details shape how a notices page should work: (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))

• The official website is the one the unit designates as its primary source of information online. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• The notice sits where it's "easily accessible and identifiable" and stays up at least seven days after the last required posting date. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• The unit, or its website contractor, keeps a printed copy showing the first date of publication. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• A designated official signs proof of publication, and that official's name and contact information are posted on the website. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Aim, the municipal league, called website notice "a long-standing Aim initiative" (2026 Statehouse Report (opens in a new tab)). Deadline and frequency rules still apply, and newspapers can't charge to view notices in their electronic editions. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))

• Municipal advisor contracts in effect on January 1, 2026 were due by April 15, 2026. Newer ones are due within 30 days of signing. (DLGF (opens in a new tab))
• If a unit misses the Gateway budget deadline, last year's appropriations and levy carry forward. The public sees filed budgets at budgetnotices.in.gov (opens in a new tab). (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab); Indiana Gateway for Government Units (opens in a new tab))
• Fire and EMS contracts are uploaded whatever their cost, and the fiscal officer now affirms by March 2 each year that every contract went up. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab); DLGF (opens in a new tab))
• Counties over 100,000 that keep a website post the executive's roll call votes within three business days and leave them up four years. Second class cities do the same for the council. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• A unit with a public property database website must let covered people restrict access to their home address. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))

• Each unit names a primary reporting contact before September 1 every year. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• The cybersecurity policy goes to the Office of Technology by December 31 of each odd-numbered year and is confidential. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• Connected units also complete a cybersecurity assessment every three years and may be disconnected if they don't comply. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• Local governments can get a free IN.gov subdomain from the Office of Technology. It requires a Subdomain Portal account, annual renewal, and executive and technical contacts. (Indiana Office of Technology (opens in a new tab))

The state also offers local governments no-cost website templates and hosting on IN.gov, run under a state contract (IOT (opens in a new tab), MeriTalk SLG (opens in a new tab)). If your board is comparing options, it's one to weigh.

IC 4-13.1-3-1 has the Office of Technology develop IT accessibility standards that conform with Section 508, with at least three local government representatives in the group. It says those standards apply to "state and local government," and an entity that can't comply without undue burden submits a plan with a timeline (Title 4 (opens in a new tab)). The state's own accessibility page describes WCAG 2.1 for state IT but doesn't address local units (IN.gov (opens in a new tab)). Ask counsel how the state standard applies to your unit.

DOJ took comments on the extension through June 22, 2026 (Jackson Lewis (opens in a new tab)), and population is measured by the most recent decennial Census (28 CFR 35.104 (opens in a new tab)). If you're near 50,000, check your 2020 Census number. Our deadlines guide covers exemptions and archived content. (ADA.gov (opens in a new tab))

• Aim (opens in a new tab) for cities and towns, with an annual Statehouse Report on new laws. (Aim (opens in a new tab))
• Indiana League of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers (opens in a new tab) for clerks, clerk-treasurers and treasurers.
• Indiana Township Association (opens in a new tab) and Association of Indiana Counties (opens in a new tab).
• The Public Access Counselor (opens in a new tab), the State Board of Accounts (opens in a new tab) and the Department of Local Government Finance for guidance, audits and budget memos. (DLGF (opens in a new tab))

• Quote invitations go out at least seven days ahead, and purchases can't be split to stay under a threshold. (Indiana Code 2026 (opens in a new tab))
• Some state quantity purchase agreements say the vendor will honor state pricing for cities, towns, counties and other local entities (example QPA (opens in a new tab)). (IDOA (opens in a new tab))
• The State Board of Accounts' September 2025 bulletin says a unit may rely on another entity's procurement only if it fully complied with IC 5-22, and may take an audit exception without a written attorney opinion. (State Board of Accounts (opens in a new tab))