At the start of its meeting Tuesday morning the Porter County Board of Commissioners announced its intention to send out a letter to all county municipalities requesting them to take a stance on whether or not the county should implement a public safety tax.
Board President Jim Biggs, R-North, said he would have the letter sent out immediately “with the blessing of my fellow commissioners,” asking cities and towns to respond within 30 days.
The announcement came hot on the tail of a candidates’ night recently held by the Porter County Public Safety Council, a group of first responders that formed in July to push the issue.
The Thursday crowd of about 100 first responders was none too pleased with Porter County Council at-large candidates who would not commit to a stance at the time, citing a host of fiscal concerns and the need for more information.
“Most of it, unfortunately, is going to have to be addressed with additional resources coming into county government,” Biggs said Tuesday. “What we do not understand is what is going on in the municipalities, at least as much as we should.”
The commissioners also approved an agreement for due diligence so the city of Valparaiso can delve into the operations of the Memorial Opera House in advance of the county and city entering into a memorandum of understanding for the city to run the MOH.
County attorney Scott McClure said the agreement allows the city “to look at and see and have access to” all the things that go into running the venue.
“We’ll see if we can arrive at an arrangement that’s mutually beneficial,” added Patrick Lyp, attorney for the city. He said he expects Valparaiso to be ready to move forward at its next Board of Public Works meeting on Sept. 13, which is also the day of the MOH dedication following a nearly $5 million renovation.
Additionally, Porter County Facilities Director Joe Wiszowaty gave a breakdown of the spending on a second proposed $25 million bond. A comprehensive evaluation of the county Administration Building, 157 Franklin, the courthouse and the Juvenile Detention Center was conducted.
On each building, the structure’s envelope and safety and security upgrades were a focus. Proposed expenditures are $720,000 for the Administration Building; $625,000 for the Courthouse; $854,700 for 157 Franklin; and $3.5 million for the Juvenile Detention Center. Added to that would be $18 million to complete renovations at the Porter County Jail.
“Where are we on the bond?” asked Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South.
“They wanted this information before they were willing to talk about it,” replied Commission Vice President Barb Regnitz, R-Center, referring to the Porter County Council. The council was expected to vote on the second bond, as it’s being called, at its meeting Tuesday evening.
In other business, E-911 staff who responded to an officer-involved shooting in downtown Valparaiso in April were honored with a Unit Citation Award.
Porter County Central Communications Director Debby Gunn praised the 10 staffers who dealt with the chaotic situation that included the dispatching of 32 officers and two medical helicopters, among other duties in the 13 minutes it took to apprehend the suspect “all of this while hearing gunfire.”
“My sister-in-law owns a business on that little stretch and she felt very safe very quickly,” added Blaney. Honored were: Jeremy Nemeth, Ashley Paxton, Anica Seat, Stephanie McGuire, Jeanette Frahm, Shaun O’Neill, Christina Valpatic, Nicole Hendrickson, Hannah Myers, and Lori Maddack.
Maddack and Myers, who were the 1st class telecommunicators who dealt specifically with the emergency, also received Distinguished Service Awards from the board.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
