LaPorte County Council approves multiple appropriations, encumbrances and a bridge-tender hire
February 23, 2026 | LaPorte County, Indiana
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LaPorte County Council approved a series of administrative and budget items during its Feb. 23 meeting, including personnel moves, encumbrances and several appropriations.
The council granted the County Highway Department permission to fill a bridge-tender vacancy after HR director Monique Thomas reported three candidates were interviewed and a candidate was selected. The council approved the hire by voice vote.
Council members also approved the annual encumbrance process to carry outstanding bills and liabilities into 2026. Finance staff noted some ARP-funded projects must be dispersed this year and said they would provide detailed lists on request.
Appropriations approved by unanimous voice vote included:
- Drug Court fund (2701): $40,814.15 to make existing program funds available; presented by Chief Deputy Steve Irick.
- Veterans Treatment Court fund (2460): $26,003.74.
- Juvenile probation user-fee accounts (25-11 series): appropriations to specified line items as presented.
- Prosecutor fund (2501): $35,000, split into $10,000 for upcoming trial expenses, $10,000 for law-enforcement equipment and services, and $15,000 for community-organization services; the prosecutor noted pending murder trials and anticipated medical-examiner costs.
The council approved a riverboat distribution transfer of $149,451.80 to the rainy-day fund, as required by county ordinance; staff noted quarterly riverboat receipts are down from last year.
The meeting also approved a $1,195.95 laptop purchase for the maintenance director (charged to the riverboat account) and an appropriation to pay 66 sick days and 25 vacation days for retiring court employee Patricia "Pat" Hodges, whose retirement was noted for March 13, 2026.
Votes at a glance: these motions were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript. No contested votes were recorded at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will provide requested backup lists for encumbrances and will proceed with the advertised hiring and procurement steps for approved items.
The council granted the County Highway Department permission to fill a bridge-tender vacancy after HR director Monique Thomas reported three candidates were interviewed and a candidate was selected. The council approved the hire by voice vote.
Council members also approved the annual encumbrance process to carry outstanding bills and liabilities into 2026. Finance staff noted some ARP-funded projects must be dispersed this year and said they would provide detailed lists on request.
Appropriations approved by unanimous voice vote included:
- Drug Court fund (2701): $40,814.15 to make existing program funds available; presented by Chief Deputy Steve Irick.
- Veterans Treatment Court fund (2460): $26,003.74.
- Juvenile probation user-fee accounts (25-11 series): appropriations to specified line items as presented.
- Prosecutor fund (2501): $35,000, split into $10,000 for upcoming trial expenses, $10,000 for law-enforcement equipment and services, and $15,000 for community-organization services; the prosecutor noted pending murder trials and anticipated medical-examiner costs.
The council approved a riverboat distribution transfer of $149,451.80 to the rainy-day fund, as required by county ordinance; staff noted quarterly riverboat receipts are down from last year.
The meeting also approved a $1,195.95 laptop purchase for the maintenance director (charged to the riverboat account) and an appropriation to pay 66 sick days and 25 vacation days for retiring court employee Patricia "Pat" Hodges, whose retirement was noted for March 13, 2026.
Votes at a glance: these motions were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript. No contested votes were recorded at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will provide requested backup lists for encumbrances and will proceed with the advertised hiring and procurement steps for approved items.
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