[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6283683,"mediaKeyId","2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4","parentId",2586310,"title","Votes at a glance: Porter County commissioners, March 11, 2025","audioSeconds",549,"startMs",2366000,"endMs",2915000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4&start=2366&end=2915","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4/thumbnail_2366000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283683/Porter-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Porter-County-commissioners-March-11-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283683-c792a84a3148724c3e65ca16ad0dec1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447595&Signature=LYjbhOVhRlZplPqW~gKW3lC30OZsuDSng~HJlsppLBxG9IhDRPawL25z2eWtmtAo-FEthR8cxRaYYli~rC1G61v4WkbOkqvHjEc3Wji6~32idrI4Xpl6M95qdJS73RsE-WFDCjRJEUtF92sIiEfWJDNIEb78h11isb8K5K2BM264o2D-pWyYLQyFjh0rBcmuykgE60235wjsTCqAaxXpXW8PYGZu8~Nj8yMCpwYqStpGYWHBJmxZZtht3kzunf58N0bYf8DTOWIHnIgHTGuOJ~zjwj2AaaQdIQGMGHf7YzaEToJrm8cDzHK685nJLNT7b36FvaLRxAJJlyYzc8Do2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Porter County IN","date","2025-03-11T20:54:02Z","article","Below are the formal actions taken by the Porter County Board of Commissioners during the March 11, 2025 meeting, as recorded on the meeting record.

• Consent agenda: Approved (payroll, claims, minutes removals and brief measures).

• Appointment: Commissioner Ed Morales was nominated and approved as the board’s representative on the administration services committee; an appointment of Debbie Dunne to the ambulance services committee was discussed and delayed to a future meeting to permit an application process.

• Jail project: Approved Correlis roofing pay item (pad) for $522,207.65 (motion and voice vote). Approved award recommendation for phase 2 interior renovations (base bid plus alternates 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8) following bid opening and staff review.

• Facilities and courthouse projects: Approved multiple professional and construction service contracts and purchases including American StructurePoint engineering services ($27,433), purchase of seven LED wall packs ($1,842.05), JLZ architectural services for JDC shower reconstruction (amount on file), Urban Construction loading dock repair at JDC ($34,080), and renovation of fifth-floor victim-assistance offices ($15,833.91).

• Election department incident: Staff reported a catastrophic water incident on Feb. 16 at 155 Franklin that displaced election staff and equipment. Staff requested the board formally declare an emergency to speed mitigation and procurement under statutory emergency procurement provisions; the board discussed the process and statutory requirements (Indiana Code cited in discussion) but did not record a formal emergency declaration in the meeting minutes.

• MOU: Approved memorandum of understanding with Portage Township Assessor for property appraisal and personal property tax audit services; each office will maintain separate statutory responsibilities.

• CivicPlus subscription: Approved a CivicPlus (codification) subscription for county code at $1,500 with a 10% annual increase clause.

• Land rental: Approved Tim Stoner’s request to continue renting approximately 10 acres on State Road 2 for farming in 2025; payment for 2024 was noted.

• Highway pay applications: Approved multiple pay applications presented by Highway Department (detailed pay items recorded in packet).

• Bridge and INDOT projects: Approved change orders and final adjustments on INDOT bridge projects, including Change Order No. 2 (increase $77,005.26) and Bridge No. 168 change order (utility delay settlement and final adjustment; new contract totals recorded in packet). Board approved related consultant task orders and on-call engineering agreements with USI Consultants at reduced task limits for a specific assignment.

• Recycling events: Approved Porter County Recycling District household hazardous-waste and tire-collection events on May 3 and Oct. 11 at the county expo center; events will include household hazardous waste and tire collection.

• Zoning map amendment: Approved on second reading a zoning map amendment requested by Timothy and Ginger Murphy to rezone a lot in Marion Acres from high-intensity commercial/residential lake districts to low-density single-family residential (R-1).

• Equipment purchase: Approved purchase of contractor-grade GPS equipment for county use (amount discussed; roughly $899 recorded in packet).

Most items were approved by motion, second and voice vote with no recorded opposition. For detailed contract amounts, change-order totals and award recommendation letters, see the county packet and official minutes for March 11, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Meeting of the Porter County Board of Commissioners - March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions, contracts and formal approvals taken by the Porter County Board of Commissioners on March 11, 2025.","taxTitle","Porter County, Indiana","taxId",12891,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283688,"Commissioners approve GIS 2025 strategic plan; committee will study one health-plan alternative and remove a second from this year’s work plan",1232,1104000,2336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4&start=1104&end=2336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4/thumbnail_1104000.jpg","/articles/6283688/Porter-County/Indiana/Commissioners-approve-GIS-2025-strategic-plan-committee-will-study-one-health-plan-alternative-and-remove-a-second-from-this-years-work-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283688-a18009991ea02b835b8c17fe6879f5ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447595&Signature=Aw1x79dMeeVRcAvb-1bEdcXlTrbO1hoXcoopSEpRrNEYUNVmDqf2AzgkYnE6eHnCP96dsTwlrwN8JB1zXtG4ewvji2O-kIXaFwXlbT7Ri-V7xN6KhLSZYTcl8Er~yPO1ZXnrwUTpbHMPOxQgqG37yVlt3j4Q4VQSgkwaQxs--Zjk7VP-mDZEi4v~uIGK9or96TngRJtA~CJj1aknM1LSfwn5qScqSo7jf1YlZlh5W1lrm9E26Gx7kItNwDSm~cVn5FcykzyWowYS4fohC6dCQM1o6~upYpCmUq6qbWGUpuW71QguKJCt73OtTfcPUToAfA~7mupAQoGSotEZNke4zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Porter County commissioners approved a 2025 strategic plan from their benefits-consulting partner GIS (General Insurance Services) on March 11, 2025, and directed the county’s benefits subgroup to explore one alternate health-plan option while postponing another.

GIS adviser Candice Arvin presented the strategic plan and said the document is a “living, breathing” roadmap that lays out four focus areas including plan design, employee engagement, provider management and health-plan administration. Arvin said the consultant will prioritize a pharmacy benefit manager review and the county’s third-party administrator review in the second quarter and will continue vendor oversight throughout the year.

Commissioners discussed two alternate approaches listed in the plan under health-plan administration: (1) an individual-coverage reimbursement arrangement (ICRA) or similar individual-coverage option, and (2) a reference-based pricing model. Commissioners and staff recounted past negative experiences with reference-based pricing, including unexpected member bills and collection problems. GIS advised that reference-based pricing can reduce costs but often causes significant disruption to members and providers.

Commissioner motion language recorded in the meeting directed approval of the strategic plan and specifically instructed the subgroup to include item 7 (the individual-coverage alternative) under health-plan administration for study this year while striking item 8 (reference-based pricing) from this year’s work plan. The board voted to approve that motion. GIS confirmed the plan and subgroup work are included within their existing consulting agreement and no separate fee was required for these tasks.

Commissioners asked GIS to return updates on reviews — including pharmacy benefit and third-party administrator performance, stop-loss settings and dependent-verification audits — on the quarterly schedule described in the plan.","Porter County approved a multi-quarter strategic plan from health-benefits consultant GIS; the board asked the committee to study one alternative health-plan option (individual-coverage arrangement) and removed a reference-based pricing item from this year’s workplan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283693,"Commissioners approve ordinances to set up funds for 2024 bond projects and insurance proceeds to restore buildings",63,727000,790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4&start=727&end=790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4/thumbnail_727000.jpg","/articles/6283693/Porter-County/Indiana/Commissioners-approve-ordinances-to-set-up-funds-for-2024-bond-projects-and-insurance-proceeds-to-restore-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283693-3077de151ea65efdc8e45bc017b1621e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447595&Signature=FAoYW2cellKGy3xGCndj9BERHk5FQLAO9qIEt4Skxd-w-C9SgSXlB1WQfiI0RtBXcmeh9LQW34x90sRAR0vP0ZmHeu5eqBJUE-OtVJWE-kubLxdpIsPKRrRb8ByKMwvSqTOukYChDWkRFph5XkQx385thnRf1LMapiZcITy1XCu01Gs8N99xcHHM5Q8A5vh-TwEzwUz86YCLLvJqm7AeJV2Elah7bvmMR6t~AqE2yM0Edpb8giCmqJMiHCofRujFfBZuOnN7ZEoI~eWiYJR1aziQMawcgTaxC~7BiQFSXAmY6QaC7rUwo9ULuurzQj14YC-PN6beawYq7cm-uqO6DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Porter County Board of Commissioners approved ordinances on March 11 to establish funds tied to the county’s 2024 general obligation bond and to handle insurance proceeds for building repairs.

On second reading the board approved an ordinance establishing a nonrecurring fund (fund 40607) for settlement and payment of the 2024 general obligation bond. The board also approved, on second reading, an ordinance establishing a nonreverted fund (fund 4608) for construction and management of the 2024 general obligation bond. Both motions carried on voice votes with no recorded opposition.

The board opened a public comment period for a first-reading ordinance to establish a nonreverted fund for insurance proceeds to restore buildings, asked for public input and received none. After three calls for public comment, the commissioners closed the public meeting and approved the insurance-proceeds ordinance on first reading.

These measures set up the county’s internal accounting structure to receive and manage bond proceeds and insurance receipts tied to capital projects. The ordinances were approved by motion and voice vote during the meeting.","The board adopted ordinances creating nonreverted and nonrecurring funds tied to the county’s 2024 general obligation bond program and approved a first reading and vote on an ordinance to accept insurance proceeds for building restoration.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283698,"Porter County commissioners approve $125,000 round of opioid-settlement awards to five local programs",529,181000,710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4&start=181&end=710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586310-f458a78bfcac8b49b59e11130e0769a4/thumbnail_181000.jpg","/articles/6283698/Porter-County/Indiana/Porter-County-commissioners-approve-125000-round-of-opioid-settlement-awards-to-five-local-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283698-b638d7ee007f6a8dd6a9a8b910f17cb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447595&Signature=mZiCYqlKPt88fFZJbb1FvKs6g~mepsF6pLtLvN-gzwAMEw7LFTjJuxLU-IrB~PpA~aNSGvoyCNlK3Ckrn7uofCtpEA7PTHhP1ctCP83E8LOnT9dnJtS9xlgBDJIiqI5MozCGnNztf4My5PeUHRJK7sK9CaalzT8DiAsAJPlUtePgU5~x-Xim4gcGNC9Ls9d44-tSbbAeIsqQEI-DDoUBroQmxeTwLfCKX7ZvoCrSbZHoyVC5nnGDrm22XGlWC4kFQvmCbrWae8kzwacCpCDZ58hukiKTuva6tvkdhvQtzpxd1ICtg9Sb1mOD4FhY3HaKqZnY1tG3~sgx~gH-E8Cz~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Porter County commissioners approved distributing $125,000 in opioid-settlement funds to five local organizations on March 11, 2025, after a brief presentation by staff and one-minute remarks from each recommended recipient.

The awards committee, chaired by county staffer Megan Wyshinsky, recommended five recipients from 10 applicants. Wyshinsky said the county used a multi-year estimate of settlement receipts through 2038, divided the expected total by 14 to determine a sustainable annual distribution, and limited awards in this round to no more than five recipients. She told commissioners the committee included one commissioner and two county council representatives and that the distribution plan was part of a resolution the board previously adopted.

The five organizations named by staff were The Caring Place; Doolin School (listed in the packet as a school corporation); Marion House; Portage Recovery Association; and 320 Recovery (listed in the packet as “3 20 Recovery”). Representatives from each group spoke briefly to describe planned uses.

Chelsea (last name provided in the meeting as Chelsea, student support services director/coordinator) said most of her school’s award would support school-based prevention and education, and help develop a diversion program for students who have experienced substance-related issues. Jessica Lewis of The Caring Place said her organization would use funds for transportation, group services, aftercare and continuing care for women in recovery. Jake Montague, president of Portage Recovery Association, described plans for a recently donated 15,000-square-foot facility in Portage, saying the award would help build a resource area, library, fitness space and other supports to make services free to clients. Alan Grazula, executive director of eFund and Recovery, said the money would support multiple recovery pathways — art, music, fitness, faith and nutrition — at no cost to participants.

Commissioners moved to approve the five awards as recommended; a motion and second were recorded and the board voted approval by voice. No votes in opposition were recorded on the motion.

The recipients will also present at a common council meeting later in the month, per the process described by staff.","The Porter County Board of Commissioners approved awarding $125,000 from opioid settlement funds to five local programs that focus on prevention, recovery and supportive services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Porter County commissioners, March 11, 2025

Commissioners approve GIS 2025 strategic plan; committee will study one health-plan alternative and remove a second from this year’s work plan

Commissioners approve ordinances to set up funds for 2024 bond projects and insurance proceeds to restore buildings

Porter County commissioners approve $125,000 round of opioid-settlement awards to five local programs