LaPorte County Council approves bridge match and a slate of departmental appropriations

LaPorte County’s council approved a package of appropriations and spending permissions at its June 22 meeting, including a previously committed $84,000 match for Bridge 180 soft costs and multiple department funding requests.

Porter County Planner Mitch Bishop told the council the county received just over $1.5 million for replacement of Bridge 180 (on 1600 South) and that the council had earlier committed $84,000 to cover 20% of soft costs such as right‑of‑way services and professional engineering design. The council voted to give permission to spend $84,000 from the cumulative bridge fund for those matching costs and asked staff to circulate the appropriation notice per normal procedure.

The council also approved several other motions:

- $200,000 to cover EMS overtime for the remainder of the year (motion supported and finalized). (Eric Fenstermaker, EMS Director)

- An appropriation to establish quarterly HVAC maintenance for the Porter County E911 center and server room; staff indicated the item will be put into next year’s budget as an ongoing line. (Matt Decker, E911 Director)

- $20,000 for the Superior Courts jury fee fund, to be paid from WinTax, to cover unpredictable jury-trial costs.

- $50,000 from riverboat funds for lawn equipment and repairs (facilities director requested a mid‑sized 72‑inch mower and associated finishing equipment for fairgrounds and county properties).

- Support for payment of $29,774.90 for courthouse heating costs.

- Approval of a pilot purchase and installation of a dehumidification system on one annex floor (not to exceed approximately $36,532; motion recorded as not-to-exceed $37,000) to determine applicability before broader rollout.

- $4,000 from the recorder's enhancement access fund for increased annual maintenance fees.

- $5,000 from the auditor's ineligible homestead fund for overtime in the auditor’s office due to shifted state deadlines.

Each appropriation had brief discussion on funding source and purpose; most motions carried after voice votes. Council members repeatedly emphasized budgeting questions, public notice for appropriations, and the need for follow‑up plans (for example, a maintenance plan for the bridge funds and a plan to prioritize HVAC/siren work).

Next steps: Departments receiving funds will proceed with procurement and report back as required; the planner and emergency management were asked to provide additional documentation and outreach to the public.