Elise Nieshalla

01 Dec Elise Nieshalla

Elise M. Nieshalla is President of the Indiana County Councils Association, Chairwoman of the Association of Indiana Counties 2023 Legislative Committee, and President of the Boone County Council. Elise a common sense, conservative voice in local government who was named 2018 Indiana County Councilor of the Year. As a hard-working entrepreneur and economic development professional, Elise served on gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels’ economic development policy team. And, as a 22-year investor in real estate, Elise oversees property acquisitions and business management for a portfolio of investments.

From managing and appropriating Boone County’s multi-fund $51 million budget, to reviewing revenue projections and planning for future needs, Elise is committed to the highest standards of fiscal stewardship of hard-earned tax dollars. And, she is proud to serve as a lead budget fiduciary of one of the fastest growing counties with one of the lowest property tax rates in Indiana.

• In her second term serving as the President of the Indiana County Councils Association (ICCA) and as Chairwoman of the Legislative Committee for the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC), Elise works with Indiana’s state lawmakers on county issues including infrastructure, public health, home rule, and tax matters.
• Regarding tax matters, Elise led the charge for Boone County, AIC, and ICCA to defend taxpayers from an unfair tax burden shift and counties from lost revenues. Her efforts resulted in two court case wins for Boone County (on the dark box issue), setting precedent to help all of Indiana’s counties defend taxpayers and preserve revenues.
• Bringing her public sector experience to the classroom, Elise was an adjunct faculty member of Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, from where she holds her Master’s Degree. She was an instructor for classes on topics including public sector management and public policy.
• Elise was one of the founders of the Hoosier Leadership Series and directed education and tax policy for the program. This organization was established in 2006 through the vision of then Congressmen Mike Pence and Dan Burton to study best practices in public policy and prepare principled leaders to further the founding ideals of America.
• Elise served on the Public Relations Standing Committee of the National Federation of Republican Women and is active in the Indiana Federation of Republican Women, the Boone County Republican Women’s Club and the Indiana and Boone County Republican Party. She is a four-time delegate to the Indiana Republican State Convention.
• As a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Leadership Network and Conservative Education Reform Network, Elise is engaged at the state and national level on matters of free enterprise and expanding student potential.
• In 2023, Elise received the “Doer Award” from The Heritage Foundation recognizing her efforts in public service and leadership. She also graduated from the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series and Boone County was named Community of the Year by the Indiana Chamber.

Elise has been married to Chris for 27 years, and they have four children who they have raised on the bedrock of faith, family and freedom.