INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) announced the City of Monticello has been named a 2016 IACT Community Achievement Award winner in the under 10,000 population category and 2016 Local Government Cooperation Award winner for its new fire station project. The City will receive its awards during the IACT Annual Awards Luncheon presented by Umbaugh, Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the 2016 IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition in French Lick.
Slated to open early next year, the City of Monticello’s new fire station will replace an existing station built more than a century ago. Like many small city fire departments, the Monticello department serves city, township and county residents through various inter-local agreements. Therefore, when the City realized the financial cost of building the kind of station necessary to serve those in need, it called upon its existing partnerships for assistance. In the spirit of cooperation, the City of Monticello, the Monticello Redevelopment Authority, Monticello Redevelopment Commission, White County Council and White County Redevelopment Authority, all approved measures to provide a $1.25 Million loan to the City. Once the $7.8 million facility is open it will be better equipped to provide fire and EMT services to the City of Monticello, Union Township in White County, as well as portions of neighboring Carroll County. The new station will also improve ambulance services the City provides to all of White County and Jefferson Township in Carroll County.
“This project exemplifies the kind of cooperation taking place all around our state and will serve as a great example for others who are looking for creative ways to solve problems in their communities. I really applaud the big-picture thinking of the City of Monticello and their partners,” said IACT Executive Director and CEO Matt Greller.
In its 40th year, the IACT Annual Awards program, presented by Umbaugh, recognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A nine member panel of qualified judges selected this year’s winners from a competitive field of nominees from around the state.
The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) is a coalition of municipal officials who seek to improve the quality of life in Indiana through effective government, and is a member of the National League of Cities. Founded in 1891, IACT is one of the oldest state municipal organizations in the country, with 470 cities and towns as members. IACT advocates for municipalities as the official voice of municipal government in Indiana, and promotes good government through education, training and leadership.