LaPorte County Council October 26, 2026

The LaPorte County Council’s regular meeting on October 26, 2026, addressed facility repairs, bridge grant applications, departmental budgets and appropriations, and a proposed public-safety local income tax. The council approved $26,495.80 for repairs to the Environmental Education Center; the Parks Department identified JB West as the bidder for the repair work. A separate estimate of about $30,000 for storm-damaged trails was discussed but deferred pending clarification of FEMA reimbursement and contractor availability. The council also authorized commitment letters for grant applications to replace Bridges 87 and 187; the grants would cover 80% of eligible costs, with the county responsible for the remaining 20%. A proposed Motorola communications purchase was estimated at just under $3.1 million. Motorola offered to hold current pricing, with payments not due until 2028, amid projected price increases; no approval was taken, and the item is expected back on the November agenda.

The council approved the LaPorte County Solid Waste Management budget, which included a 5% hauling-cost increase, a website-cost increase of just under 1%, and operating costs for a newly acquired plastic-bag baler; it also approved the Hannah Township budget, with no change to its 2026 spending plan. Other approved funding actions included a $65,000 Sheriff’s Department additional appropriation, a $30,000 E-911 transfer for increased telephone costs, $15,000 for problem-solving-court drug testing, and $2,500 from deferral funds for animal-shelter air-conditioning repairs. The council discussed an EMS local income tax amid projected county budget shortfalls: a motion to deny was followed by a proposal to approve it with requirements for a published three-year capital plan, regular financial reporting, and an expiration provision. The final outcome of that amended proposal is not clear in the supplied transcript.