[{"_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",6055319,"mediaKeyId","3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95","parentId",3319949,"title","Lake County Council approves several infrastructure funds, park and bridge appropriations and public-safety equipment transfers","audioSeconds",167,"startMs",2338000,"endMs",2505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95&start=2338&end=2505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95/thumbnail_2338000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6055319/Lake-County/Indiana/Lake-County-Council-approves-several-infrastructure-funds-park-and-bridge-appropriations-and-public-safety-equipment-transfers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055319-142278455743fad3ba12586e9362c94f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145005&Signature=JmMpf8tCrY0w0q5qibVz4KqmcGuMeMyItIQwoUkEXo0r2cnnQC04TzI3Ck1AIgnYq31je3KfpFeeLAq5Jncp8tvhdSIg0dFxNK3ztqFL85QZoqSvJrY54SQHXaSYRuOR5QpZJsAsyQ5AHQmZXBsC3PR03iOyzLFKL4JoOhB2VPALceX1qv76keSSL4ZhfYThKW3GDPYfsI0SQCO7d1oNuxNe1zT9oSd-mFDrEHBVNwsyjocyrGM6uz89v7afyHRqc0WgNmLJBXDeesZCdJUD5pwfz7oiIsx2w3LIbsI4N-j7dsyA4xU3H7RMKQ7IN7m0ytxFzNbnKnp2HZtGxOrLeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake County IN","date","2025-05-13T17:18:02Z","article","The Lake County Council on Thursday approved a package of appropriations and fund creations that included a local roads and bridges INDOT matching grant fund, a $2 million allocation from the cumulative bridge fund and a new cumulative park-building fund with an $850,000 appropriation for land purchases and improvements.

Council members established the 2024-2 Lake County Local Roads and Bridges Matching INDOT Community Crossings fund (nonreverting) and approved the related ordinance on second reading by unanimous roll call. Later the council approved an appropriation of $2,000,000 from the cumulative bridge fund for bridge projects.

Parks and recreation matters included creation of a cumulative park-building fund and a subsequent appropriation of $850,000: $375,000 for land purchases and $450,000 for land improvements, plus small amounts for legal and advertising services. The motions passed unanimously.

The council also approved several sheriff’s office transfers to purchase training equipment and perform equipment repairs and maintenance. For example, the council approved transfers totaling $35,000 into the sheriff’s firearm training equipment account and approved other transfers from grant funds for equipment and supplies.

On grants, the council approved renewal applications and grant acceptance requests including: the Indiana Department of Corrections Community Corrections and Justice Reinvestment grant (CCJR) for 2026, the Indiana Supreme Court Problem Solving Courts grant renewal for 2026, and a renewal for the Supporting Addiction-Free Environments collaboration (SAFE) administered by a nonprofit partner. Council members discussed program administration and confirmed these are typically pass-through arrangements where the county reports monthly expenditure data to the granting agencies.

All actions in this package passed by unanimous votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lake County Council Regular Meeting – May 13th at 1000 AM 20250513 1618 1","oneSentenceSummary","The council created and funded INDOT matching, cumulative bridge and park-building funds, approved sheriff equipment transfers, and renewed multiple grants for corrections and problem-solving courts.","taxTitle","Lake County, Indiana","taxId",4585,"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},6055325,"Health department warns of program cuts after state funding drops; council approves one position pay increase",173,2914000,3087000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95&start=2914&end=3087","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95/thumbnail_2914000.jpg","/articles/6055325/Lake-County/Indiana/Health-department-warns-of-program-cuts-after-state-funding-drops-council-approves-one-position-pay-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055325-3f55e46d418f18c0e9a6a5086704c811/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145005&Signature=hLmwiVPYV~qptYMOPXh8d7DlfPuRjGmGUCU5Zk-wgJ7lmDETeXSL31mh28YWr4R046a47nXL5PISrBLaOAXMOhCu~x7fybp~wVc5EAOYjiM8AbhmcEe3YOMavAZyS~zL90j399I4eIqBZVbDCyJ1t0NXvHXdBxXRhlw~SGX9l11AjzUl0MiKKI9Pdaky4E-xFZuFx6H-cvFgE6c4xwzXARsKthplALuIqhn-OMEU5-9Hh9QfA-MvaDxsJ6Q7hdjuwoDuEI7B6c8hF53JF-~EAiLjl23aXTKx7hqEIRAVr1mpnxxMLYAkeri1Sq6E8E0ninzOgJG2DoTjbp5jDJjq~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake County Health Department told the council on Thursday it expects a substantial reduction in state public-health funding and that the department will cut planned hires and subawards in response.

The council approved a revision moving one Health First Indiana project manager position from a $57,750 salary to $72,100, a change the department said had been arranged before the current health director’s tenure. The motion passed 7-0.

During discussion, the health director said the department “took a big gut punch” when state funding fell from roughly $9 million to about $2.5 million, and said that immediate program changes will follow. “We had about six positions planned to hire this year to meet our maternal and child health KPI. We’re going to eliminate that entire program,” the department representative told the council.

Council members asked for the job description and key performance indicators for the project manager post; the health director said she would provide the job description and noted the employee has taken on responsibilities beyond the original project-manager role, including partner relations, budgeting, reporting and data analysis.

The department said it will reduce subawards to local partners—approximately $4–5 million in prior years—and will explore cross-training and other internal adjustments. The council approved the salary revision after receiving those explanations.","Lake County Health Department reported a large reduction in state public health funding and won approval to raise a Health First Indiana project manager’s salary, while staff said broader program reductions are likely.",{"_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},6055329,"Council approves prosecutor salary ordinance; members press for prompt removal of supplemental pay",324,1810000,2134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95&start=1810&end=2134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95/thumbnail_1810000.jpg","/articles/6055329/Lake-County/Indiana/Council-approves-prosecutor-salary-ordinance-members-press-for-prompt-removal-of-supplemental-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055329-d298b9a474ea36d8a3b18697383d829e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145005&Signature=dSfR~OoeIZnL0sg1yDq32RWn9oZYKYYb7hMfhRdaqPwpCNw0mwjpvSHS6dGOn5EkWKvD5nm-kt8w0~pE6sm-DZBOz2E7O7eR7pKklB3D6IONWPwGCjSMOepG-s1twDV1x9yn6Jey1aEqGFesuwru26fbqczjMEiY~PrwQOEHTahr7dZLxKBaQ8rZ759u~M9XgTE-oz0StxAusqj1hpnY-FKDXr9TV0kdwK8~JrQfJ5w83i1E~APHvqJPlbVVAZSBRz-99ZTRWRS7KVgzMEenZT5EqbO8APLum6xQN~YFKCId1gZMxeq6xM54YTDYGShONEJ-SEt9GIaswleRqnpWTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake County Council on Thursday approved an ordinance amending the county salary ordinance to place pay for 17 prosecutor’s office positions into regular county salary lines, a move councilors said is meant to clarify compensation while the council and prosecutor work to eliminate duplicative supplemental pay.

The ordinance, presented by the Lake County Prosecutor’s office, was approved on second reading after council members debated timeline and payroll mechanics for removing existing supplemental-pay entries from payroll systems. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 7-0.

“Payroll needs to understand that they can’t receive supplemental pay on top of this increase,” one council member said during the meeting. County staff confirmed they will submit maintenance forms to central payroll to remove supplemental-pay records; the prosecutor’s office committed to sending follow-up documentation.

Council members asked that the supplemental-pay removal be made explicit and suggested amending the ordinance so payroll would have a clear record that supplemental payments are eliminated. A council member said the ordinance “does not do that; it just increases their base pay,” and asked county staff to copy payroll and the auditor when maintenance is filed.

The prosecutor’s office said many supplemental pays are in funds outside council control and that those will be handled by sending letters to the auditor’s office. Council members said they expect the prosecutor’s office and central payroll to coordinate so employees do not receive both the new base pay and old supplement simultaneously.

The council’s action will place the salaries on the county’s general payroll tables; staff said a subsequent maintenance action will remove supplemental-pay entries. No additional appropriations tied to the ordinance were recorded in the council’s motion.","The Lake County Council approved an ordinance to move supplemental prosecutor pay into base salaries for 17 positions; members pressed county payroll and the prosecutor’s office to ensure supplemental payments are removed promptly.",{"_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},6055333,"Lake County Council pushes back on narrative blaming local government for property tax increases",356,3600000,3956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95&start=3600&end=3956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319949-2e7fbe15c25f3581ac8cda3b16c36f95/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6055333/Lake-County/Indiana/Lake-County-Council-pushes-back-on-narrative-blaming-local-government-for-property-tax-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055333-776c260b1d0d662e50d93802af460a0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145005&Signature=XahQv0lppaFb3xnxKnZKp1wniW7ULgzEuAlyo057NPFyhzEfMUfHwu34T1J30TxWN56bx53qeTwjo14S~8c-X8VkNfkigrIv8SkWhGR6cTQl0kbcsE4SLN4obwBilO6PzKQ8Ga5qS2tZB-Wj95DsaObbLnY5AH0PSFGIyfzqqFUp4oux2XdVtD5YKRVdO3zn93zGndJkHJzIKo0wrHv0mfN6LEumRzCymOcDBoFHdWVZoozGDTfC9gHs3CnZquqqe6l9GksG6QrLQY7rlwcHsWRCZRCxUGlEfebQk~fbKdG8FrVGwC-4J1Hs~ACwKTrk1U9MNcjqsZqAhkN7zsJ8Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake County Council members on Thursday pushed back against widely circulated claims that local government spending caused recent spikes in residential property tax bills, saying state-level policy changes and inflation are the prime drivers.

The remarks came during a discussion of Senate Bill 1 and the state budget’s changes to property tax rules, when a council member called on state leaders and the public to reconsider the “us versus them” narrative that pins rising bills solely on county and municipal governments.

The council member said the county’s levy rose roughly 22% over five years and called narratives that translated that into “50 to 60% raises in taxation to residential properties” inaccurate. “22% doesn’t equal 50 to 60% in any math,” the council member said. The speaker urged careful analysis of assessment formulas and commercial property treatment and warned against quick legislative remedies without detailed study.

Council members and staff referenced the state’s assessment processes and recent bills as the central factors shaping property tax outcomes. “If you look at recent surveys and polls, up to 70% of people surveyed believe that local government is to blame for their property tax increases when in all actuality, it was driven by inflation,” the council member said, adding that federal stimulus and pandemic-era spending contributed to inflation beginning around 2020–2021.

Other council members supported the call for a careful, deliberative review. One member thanked a state senator who voted against the bill, saying that senator “did the right thing” and had taken heat for it. Another member described the county’s prior levy freeze and department reductions, noting those actions produced long-term taxpayer savings that critics ignore.

The council indicated it will continue working with county staff and state legislators to clarify impacts and pursue more detailed study sessions rather than quick statewide mandates. Council staff member Scott (staff role not specified in the record) was referenced as preparing analysis for legislators and coordinating follow-up conversations with state analysts.

The discussion closed without a formal vote tied to the policy debate; council members said they plan further study and outreach to state representatives to address outstanding technical questions about assessment formulas and funding shifts.","During a lengthy discussion the Lake County Council said recent state changes to property tax law and inflation, not local spending, drove recent tax spikes, and urged deeper study rather than quick fixes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake County Council approves several infrastructure funds, park and bridge appropriations and public-safety equipment transfers

Health department warns of program cuts after state funding drops; council approves one position pay increase

Council approves prosecutor salary ordinance; members press for prompt removal of supplemental pay

Lake County Council pushes back on narrative blaming local government for property tax increases