SJC Board of Commissioners Meeting - Tuesday October 6th, 2026 11am

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting was held October 6, 2026. Commissioners considered a proposed Portage Manor purchase agreement with St. Thomas More Academy for $400,000, including an access agreement and an option on additional acreage. Supporters cited historic preservation, school use, and public access to the ravine; opponents questioned the sale price, public process, legal authority, and protections for the property. Council President Brian Tanner asked the board to postpone pending clarification of approvals and terms. The transcript does not capture a final motion or vote on this agreement. The board approved a one-year Great News Life partnership for $4,840 and the South Bend–Elkhart Regional Partnership agreement; the presentation described regional economic-development funding and investment leverage, but gave no cost for the county agreement.

The board approved Microsoft MOU No. 2, providing an additional $53,023,257.70 in Microsoft-funded construction and related costs, bringing the two agreements to more than $65 million. The work includes water and sewer infrastructure, property acquisition, and roadway repairs; public commenters raised concerns about transparency, trade-secret provisions, future sewer needs, and tax-increment financing. Commissioners also approved the Capitol Avenue utility expansion bid for HRP Construction (approximately $5.99 million), a culvert replacement by Premium Services (approximately $110,000; one quote was received), and a county-city building window-glazing award (approximately $534,000, including a $50,000 contingency). Other approved purchases or renewals included mental-health consulting for dispatchers, fire-alarm inspection by Corson Fire and Security, bottleless-water service from Water Time (reducing monthly cost from about $170 to $120, with no contract), and medical-malpractice coverage through the Horton Group for $38,234.25.