[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6258473,"mediaKeyId","3148211-011389c35dcbf3e4ff9742d686174180","parentId",3148211,"title","Votes at a glance: commissioners award road and bridge contracts, create Marine Patrol fund, approve insurance renewal and multiple county contracts","audioSeconds",3054,"startMs",2000000,"endMs",5054000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148211-011389c35dcbf3e4ff9742d686174180&start=2000&end=5054","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148211-011389c35dcbf3e4ff9742d686174180/thumbnail_2000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6258473/Porter-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-commissioners-award-road-and-bridge-contracts-create-Marine-Patrol-fund-approve-insurance-renewal-and-multiple-county-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258473-1a41758a46122627de8f81e6ba230e9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553337&Signature=YEZEPb1hcmk1wXkM8ZUUm8AU6R3K1Nz9MD1zjhjTSuyAFT9uuDunxUo8DWA~jn32OI-pCaCubDSagjKHZ6bJ5BKS5OowHzQqmJJQGO~eXOCEAgHkjF3txeoFmbRjdYEc2g5uKgnpeZ2yi4qbWyLRFJIyuYkT20Yryriwi-0CvDT5jfLNy8Ox25Ssem0ZCQdggKf4G5V4lZIchH0-Q0eAhUFcGSP7Khvy5OrRyCtToM37krjuYyXFQQuyM~XU64WocWe21boMsuaMcZ479Rc3-j4AsjlBJOD3F-DkgRpUe5uxCFrVBkFemE5p2ffx5AdUYSV8rtV2uMpgYwQtOvWMzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Porter County IN","date","2025-04-28T12:58:42Z","article","The Porter County Board of Commissioners on April 22 took a series of routine but consequential votes across highway, public safety, health and administration matters. Key approvals included the county’s CCMG roadway bid award, a small-structure contract for Brummet Road, creation of a Marine Patrol Assistance Program fund, and renewal of the county’s property and casualty insurance program.

Highway contracting: The commissioners opened competitive bids for county road projects and later approved the county’s CCMG award. Reece Riley Construction Company Inc. submitted the low responsive bid for the CCMG roadway project with a base bid of $3,503,061.90; the board moved to accept that bid. Separately, Gary Up Construction Company was awarded the small-structure replacement contract on Brummet Road with a base bid of $941,700.

Marine patrol fund: On second reading the board approved an ordinance establishing a nonreverting fund (fund 9128) to accept DNR grant dollars for a Marine Patrol Assistance Program. The county intends to use the grant to pay overtime to officers for Lake Michigan patrols; the sheriff and commissioners cited a reduction in Coast Guard coverage along the county’s shoreline as a motivating factor and noted private donations to support a boat purchase. The county expects an initial DNR grant of approximately $10,000 to help fund overtime.

Insurance renewal: General Insurance Services presented a renewal package with Travelers Insurance. The total premium for the renewed property and casualty program is approximately $1,619,000, representing an increase from the expiring premium of about $1,364,094. Commissioners approved the renewal and urged continued risk-management efforts to limit future increases.

Health department and facilities: The board approved several health-department change orders with Bergland Construction — a mini-split HVAC installation ($46,355.37), terrazzo patching ($10,996.68), a NEMA plug for IT closets ($1,077.67) and drywall remediation ($1,244.32). Other facilities and construction approvals included progress payments and contract approvals for parking garage restoration and juvenile detention center painting.

E-911 and technology: Commissioners approved a job description for a CAD administrator position in E-911 (stipend $250 per pay period) pending HR review, and authorized a $75,000 contract for AI-based quality assurance and call-transcription software (Prepared 911) to be paid from the E-911 budget.

Other administrative votes included approval of a revised memorandum of understanding between the Porter Township Assessor and the county assessor for property-audit services; authorization of audit services with Forvis Mazars for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024; an agreement making the Porter County Expo Center available as a mass prophylaxis point of dispensing for emergencies; and a proclamation recognizing International Compost Awareness Week.

Most motions passed by voice vote; where bids and contracts were approved, staff said they would return recommendations and final award documentation to the commissioners’ office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 22 meeting the Porter County Board of Commissioners opened bids and approved multiple contracts, change orders and ordinances, including CCMG roadway bid awards, a small-structure contract for Brummet Road and a Marine Patrol Assistance Program fund.","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},6258478,"Porter County schedules May 13 neighborhood meeting on proposed data center; residents raise health, traffic and water concerns",1049,5098000,6147000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148211-011389c35dcbf3e4ff9742d686174180&start=5098&end=6147","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148211-011389c35dcbf3e4ff9742d686174180/thumbnail_5098000.jpg","/articles/6258478/Porter-County/Indiana/Porter-County-schedules-May-13-neighborhood-meeting-on-proposed-data-center-residents-raise-health-traffic-and-water-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258478-a8c3c8aa268021a255c83e18ce41ed06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553337&Signature=dnJy0BBf3Zeou5wYyikCYzZgszNJpC-91SNRQBrKAmtX1G94qdOy2UkeOf4tkei4V3uBIYWk5VN8j0Pr7D5nuN-~fjl7r2AKmbWc2IyvxmA9H7ho1m8evFTX7NCy-Sd8V0bcOCWq-IG80oPvjJjgm~zIpwQ3j5juCk3YHsJb4k9MkA0aioyxodblBuFFXzKcUgQZYVYVeAkERFju~TW5izbE4EhP2IplwzSBaLxgscHAKs25KvF5g1HWirCXUK2zTbDoQGU4nFyhTJV~HNuC55PiWc5o0jLOnziWqQpuAJC3lDW0NRAFWOLkL4wB4x4JFEJ10cXOPefWrxciJcqMnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Porter County planning staff and the Board of Commissioners announced a neighborhood meeting for a proposed data center on May 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Porter County Expo Center. The meeting is intended as an introductory forum for the petitioner to present the project and for residents to register comments; no formal action or vote will occur at that meeting.

Planning staff explained that the neighborhood meeting is an early step in the county’s Unified Development Ordinance and Indiana code process for rezoning and a Planned Unit Development. Planning staff said an application must be deemed complete before the planning commission schedules a public hearing; after the commission’s recommendation the proposal goes to the commissioners for readings and possible votes.

Residents at the April 22 meeting expressed strong concerns about public health, noise, traffic and water handling. Amy Ketchum of Union Township asked for a clear timeline: “What happens after the neighborhood meeting? … What are we looking at?” Planning staff said the timeline depends on when the county determines the application is complete and does not commit to a date until that step is finished.

Union Township residents, school officials and health-care professionals urged caution. Jennifer Shine, a registered nurse and Union Township parent, said she is worried about long-term health effects for children who will attend nearby schools: “I don’t want my child to be an example … for what their future health became.” Lee Barnes, the incoming superintendent for Union Township Schools, said the school board had passed a resolution opposing the project and that he would attend the neighborhood meeting.

Speakers at the meeting also raised questions about infrastructure. Residents asked how the developer would route power and heavy truck traffic, whether diesel fuel storage or generators would be used, and how cooling water would be handled and discharged. One commenter noted that similar projects in other jurisdictions had been contested and sometimes denied; others cited recent denials in neighboring counties as part of their concerns.

County staff said the neighborhood meeting will be recorded and the petitioner will be required to address comments at subsequent public hearings. Commissioners emphasized that they will follow the statutory process; one commissioner said commissioners could deny a project at the first reading if the record supports denial.

The county urged residents to attend the May 13 meeting to provide input; planning staff said that comments during the neighborhood meeting will be part of the public record that petitioners must address before formal hearings.

","The county’s planning staff scheduled a neighborhood meeting for May 13 at the Porter County Expo Center to let residents hear the petitioner and provide comment; planning staff and residents described next steps in the zoning and PUD review process.",{"_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},6258482,"Porter County approves one-day permit for May 1 courthouse rally after debate on time, place and manner rules",1699,278000,1977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148211-011389c35dcbf3e4ff9742d686174180&start=278&end=1977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148211-011389c35dcbf3e4ff9742d686174180/thumbnail_278000.jpg","/articles/6258482/Porter-County/Indiana/Porter-County-approves-one-day-permit-for-May-1-courthouse-rally-after-debate-on-time-place-and-manner-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258482-adc1b3fa14cd232eafaf4f503afc6113/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553337&Signature=YkHAd3D70ffhl8NabiYgwafCa-JdllIprErgB0pmZJKV5v-XB7VBvZLW~d7gbaWRnlk-VuQwnq01SCWlL35vDO6ZwDzvMErkk0OUPCSHRffRJRKh7DmEaPj9z9UVScz6coiqH5XyhT2sxf8H2hsje1QNQuJ4Aw5Z6q7A4SQOlLQ82wR9NuexPwHH2RMf97iLqsn1aS4zzizH8Y4qDRvAySclRLLPclB~F-umGnp1MigbqvBHt4bH6dE4pJvYpQNIYdPU~F553xz5hRUkP1f6KANv-HfY5W6viH3lTWg~xG1Cj~jMTKETo2ngTubYiMYsJxygGxxJOFQiijOO7ECsUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Porter County Board of Commissioners on April 22 approved a one-day permit for a rally on the south side of the Porter County Courthouse on May 1 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., following extended discussion about public-safety staffing, short notice and legal limits on regulating speech.

The request was made by organizers of NWI Activists, who said they often learn of nationwide actions only days before events and struggle to meet the county’s permitting timeline. Lisa Kaffenberger, who identified herself as “the leader of NWI Activists,” said organizers want to work with county staff but sometimes cannot provide the three-week notice the county prefers. “We don’t always have the 3 week lead time that we need … So as soon as we find out, we’re trying to put the permit stuff in,” Kaffenberger said.

County Attorney Scott McClure told the board that the county may regulate “time, place, and manner” of assemblies under First Amendment jurisprudence, but any regulations must be content-neutral and tied to public-safety concerns. “Local governments can regulate when, where, and how … under time, place, and manner,” McClure said. He added there is not a recognized “breaking news exception” to permitting and that the authority to permit the courthouse grounds rests with the board, not law enforcement.

Sheriff Fafner and county staff described operational impacts. The county’s public-safety and finance staff warned that frequent unplanned rallies create overtime and staffing pressures. Sherry Balan noted the “cost to taxpayers” of providing officers and the need to plan for overtime and coordination with Valparaiso police, which often supplies additional officers. “We need to have open communication with the people that are organizing these events … so we can say, ‘Okay, how many plan on to have? How big are the numbers?’” Balan said.

Commissioners discussed two possible accommodations: allowing permit applications to request multiple dates in advance or designating a single commissioner to field late-notice requests and decide whether an event can proceed. Several commissioners expressed concern about fairness and administrative burden if exceptions were made repeatedly. The board ultimately moved to approve the specific May 1 request with a condition that organizers stay on the south side of the courthouse and be “cognizant of the fact that we have business going on in the building.” The motion passed on a voice vote.

The board said it will schedule a follow-up meeting with organizers, a commissioner and the county attorney to try to craft clearer procedures for short-notice events while balancing safety, access and fairness. Organizers were told to consult Scott McClure for legal questions and to coordinate with the sheriff’s office about on-site arrangements.

Votes and formal directions from the discussion included the May 1 permit approval and a direction to schedule a follow-up meeting to try to clarify permit procedures and staffing expectations.

","After extended discussion about safety, staffing costs and short notice, the Porter County Board of Commissioners approved a permit for a May 1 rally on the south side of the courthouse from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: commissioners award road and bridge contracts, create Marine Patrol fund, approve insurance renewal and multiple county contracts

Porter County schedules May 13 neighborhood meeting on proposed data center; residents raise health, traffic and water concerns

Porter County approves one-day permit for May 1 courthouse rally after debate on time, place and manner rules