# LaPorte County Council Special Meeting October 14, 2026


**Body:** Access LaPorte County Media
**Date:** October 13, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Public Safety, Construction & Infrastructure, Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure


The LaPorte County Council held a special meeting and public hearings on October 14, 2026, concerning a proposed local income tax for EMS and the 2027 county and Solid Waste District budgets. A presentation described the potential revenue and taxpayer impact of an EMS tax increase, including estimated annual collections of roughly $6–7.5 million and an example household cost of about $140 per year. Speakers raised concerns about the additional tax and asked for comparisons with prior tax increases and circuit-breaker losses. Council discussion noted that added revenue could help fund two ambulances, estimated at nearly $500,000, and other capital needs. A motion to approve the proposal received consideration as an initial vote; the chair stated that no tax would be enacted until a second vote at a later meeting.

The council also considered the 2027 county budget, with a member proposing amendments that would shift funding among items without increasing the advertised total before final adoption. The Solid Waste District reported a budget increase of less than 1%, including $3,840 for new line items, and employee increases budgeted up to 5%; it also cited nearly $90,000 in unreimbursed fire-related claims and a position left unfilled. The council approved the Solid Waste District’s 2027 budget as presented. No vendor contract awards or bid approvals were identified.

**Source:** Access LaPorte County Media