(A) The Commissioners designate the internet location of elkhartcounty.com as the primary source of information about the political subdivision of Elkhart County on the internet. In this section, the political subdivision of Elkhart County is hereafter referred to as "Elkhart County Government." Accordingly, consistent with I.C. 5-3-5-2, Elkhart County Government's official web site is elkhartcounty.com, which in this section is hereinafter referred to as the "Official Web Site."
(B) The Commissioners designate the Elkhart County Auditor ("Auditor") to be responsible for electronic publications of Elkhart County Government under I.C. 5-3-5. The Auditor's name and business contact information shall be posted on the Official Web Site.
(C) Consistent with I.C. 5-3-5-4(a), when Elkhart County Government is required by statute to publish notice in a newspaper two or more times, it may make:
(1) The first publication of a notice in a newspaper or newspapers as required under I.C. 5-3-1-4 or the applicable statute; and
(2) All subsequent publications of the notice only on the Official Web Site.
(D) Any Elkhart County Government department head or employee involved with publication of notices must obtain advance permission from the Commissioners to make electronic publications of a notice on the Official Web Site. However, a failure to obtain such advance permission does not invalidate an electronically published notice.
(E) The Auditor shall ensure that the notice on the Official Web Site:
(1) Is in a location on the Official Web Site where the notice is easily accessible and identifiable; and
(2) Remains on the Official Web Site not less than seven days after the last posting date required by law has expired.
(F) The Auditor shall:
(1) Create a printed copy of any notice posted on the Official Web Site in a format that includes the date of publication on the first day that the legal notice is published on the Official Web Site; and
(2) Maintain a printed copy of any notice for archival and verification purposes.
(G) Upon request, the Auditor must furnish a proof of publication:
(1) Executed by the Auditor; and
(2) Stating that the notice was posted from the initial date through the last posting date required by law.
(H) Effective date. This section is effective upon adoption and ratifies, confirms, and approves electronic publications conducted previously by Elkhart County on the Official Web Site.
(Res. CO-2023-48, passed 10-16-2023)