[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6178517,"mediaKeyId","5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac","parentId",5215075,"title","Sheriff seeks permission to apply for addiction‑support and school‑safety grants; council asks about local match","audioSeconds",79,"startMs",2931000,"endMs",3010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac&start=2931&end=3010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac/thumbnail_2931000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6178517/Lake-County/Indiana/Sheriff-seeks-permission-to-apply-for-addictionsupport-and-schoolsafety-grants-council-asks-about-local-match","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178517-0654dcb1d8e908ca1aff1ffc9ce09e3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182599&Signature=L9e9opfPJvFBIwCGuQXWFC9kq1uv1pf3F85sdC~eZz-Ah~79cEmBnrDiatlb~mPdYjki4AlNZ6dIIX~fsXb2ylkQkQITd2a1O2B6nhydORmFIFRWGyz2ks7F9hSYxEGQBttSEpBAnErVa-jj7XgzUfm4cDtzYP4avi-9cai5-0NO6js-XP10ImYmEbfMK0A0Gq~9ZMMbKmWAx~bL1PNjVGsgPrazkI1srdoYF3F0zegWZS0Cf0ywN7nLBaNr5R~GRxErJwb-Q3QwyHLGUlcBLMfUrczcLOzQtuLRk4aA5qoTGNFKItmAYj588FVpIQF5xHTkGxcD3qdNAj4xy4mCZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake County IN","date","2025-07-07T15:49:18Z","article","The Lake County Sheriff’s Office requested council approval to apply for multiple grants: two Safe RAMP (supporting addiction‑free environments) applications and a Safer Schools grant to fund a STRAT site software system and a portable cell‑coverage solution for county schools.

The sheriff described two Safe RAMP applications: one focused on prevention incentives (including gift cards) and another on incentive bags for individuals recovering from addiction; both would be overseen by county staff. The Safer Schools grant is intended to fund STRAT site software for county schools and a portable cell‑tower solution.

A council member asked about the required 25% local match for one of the grants and whether the county would provide that from existing funds; the sheriff’s representative said the other two grants did not require matches. The transcript records no final vote, and staff said they would provide additional budget detail as requested.

Councilors thanked the sheriff’s office and asked staff to return with information about match sources if the council is to approve the grant applications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Study Session - July 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lake County Sheriff’s office asked the council to approve applying for two Safe RAMP grants and a safer‑schools grant; councilors asked whether the county can provide the required 25% match for one application and sought further budget detail.","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},6178522,"Council hears update on Hermits Lake funding and negotiates with Crown Point on sewer billing approach",350,3750000,4100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac&start=3750&end=4100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac/thumbnail_3750000.jpg","/articles/6178522/Lake-County/Indiana/Council-hears-update-on-Hermits-Lake-funding-and-negotiates-with-Crown-Point-on-sewer-billing-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178522-492b91c1a0776d4fa529500099dd3c27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182599&Signature=gbVlE2JhkGsxAqGLYPreVhIJ-K2d18bJnaT5sucwqBgmoKFhZU~casyNmbFz87B4nZ-eSQgcwqFW8LxI2ZASW3x-WHw6a6u-gKSM-UNNX67FSmEF2IacnNbxB0AHb~46SmoUN~hQLg5L1eBJ~rys0yDOqIAhM6lir7r1h9hmeSrVxb7e6FFlFAmnISuVlp-aDqEStdmQOjACmVEaEaqFKuuMFiMNCD-NhWan9RTfV4a~WyUNMZaetjPAVOmBPIWpQALeE63VPxMy4GPxXDvyuid1nqep7qOtY~RNf3DA1U6xmuWru2vbTXkgznp07VNjOInXdvCDAdm9lF1W7sGIQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff briefed the council on a transfer request to cover Hermits Lake expenses through the end of the year and reported ongoing negotiations with the city of Crown Point to change how Lake County customers are billed for sewer service.

A county official said the transfer request would move funds into other services and charges for Hermits Lake to cover expenses until fees are collected. The official said negotiations with Crown Point are active and described progress: the county has a meeting scheduled with Crown Point for next Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. to negotiate moving some unincorporated customers from a flat, estimated gallons per month charge to a metered rate based on actual usage.

Staff said Crown Point has been receptive to data showing actual water flows and that officials expect to reach an agreement “by the end of summer” to reduce the county’s payments to the city for connected properties. Councilors said residents affected by Crown Point billing have been “hit hard” by recent Crown Point rate increases and urged continued negotiation.

The Hermits Lake transfer request is intended to ensure continued operations while negotiations and fee arrangements are finalized. The transcript shows staff will continue talks with Crown Point and return with negotiated terms; no final agreement was recorded in this segment.

Councilors also discussed related interlocal funding for road projects in Lake Station and support for a South Shore air‑show grant; funding sources and project totals were described generally but not finalized in the excerpt.","Councilors heard a transfer request for Hermits Lake operations, were briefed on negotiations with the city of Crown Point about moving unincorporated customers to a metered rate, and were told a meeting is scheduled to seek a metered rather than flat estimated gallon rate.",{"_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},6178527,"Council to consider narrowing county veterans' burial benefit window to two years to match federal rule",258,3822000,4080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac&start=3822&end=4080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac/thumbnail_3822000.jpg","/articles/6178527/Lake-County/Indiana/Council-to-consider-narrowing-county-veterans-burial-benefit-window-to-two-years-to-match-federal-rule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178527-915a2b5cda0e8c12b43297eb0925ae90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182599&Signature=h7-SgWOXxvI2~hOc8xzZXeMtG7WMS7hjAqwjGFe5pjwxcOsbEMBZVu4CLgnDSXHPyIyF~rokzcfMX86e96o0C4j~xY2LHy1ufCyTU9EFink4KXERjYKYKu~XeGn1XmJmevThfEa0I21LUFVgJBj9a71cuXFm2jkvfdhsXBz-rPgf2oGdjdRKaqOfRLAgcbB5rqsvhM5fb7EMqtFi9N-4cUJa-RVzGN1SfGMRp6~V~3noM7uKIypR~txBQGq3NGtd2bOflqRvHDl4Kg-Z67Vq5gbLsGmk~t~UJvYXpYenQkV2nZsaWyXye0qwnYCJ-GyVqN0drXn1mVSF9nbAWnYerg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members discussed amending the county burial‑benefit ordinance to add a time limit for claims, with a council member proposing a two‑year limit to match the federal regulation in 38 CFR.

A council member said he wanted to “amend the ordinance while we're already changing the monetary portion of it to include time limits, specifically, maybe to reflect what the federal time limit is. So the 38 CFR says, anybody entitled a surviving spouse has a 2 year time limit.” Supporters argued that a two‑year window would prevent decades‑old claims that are difficult to verify and would align county practice with the federal standard. Another speaker noted Indiana law currently allows a county discretion on benefit amounts and that some counties set different maxima; the speaker said Lake County appears to be the only county with a spouse‑pass provision and that standardizing the time window would reduce future disputes.

Council members agreed to advance an amended version of the ordinance for readings: one speaker said, “we'll do our new first and second reading next Tuesday” and discussed using an amended version for the second reading. The transcript shows the council planned further drafting and scheduled readings; no final adoption occurred in the recorded remarks.

Council discussion included concerns about claimants who learn about entitlement years after a veteran’s death; proponents said two years is a reasonable limit that matches federal practice while still allowing some administrative processing time.

Authorities cited in the discussion included the federal 38 CFR (federal veterans regulation) and references to Indiana code guidance on local burial benefits. Staff and council agreed to prepare an amended ordinance for the next meeting’s readings.","Council members discussed amending the county's burial‑benefit ordinance to add a two‑year filing limit mirroring federal 38 CFR rules; sponsors said the change would prevent late claims and they plan first and second readings at a future meeting.",{"_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},6178532,"County proposes new Systems Technical Lead to manage Oracle, reduce consultant reliance",567,3063000,3630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac&start=3063&end=3630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac/thumbnail_3063000.jpg","/articles/6178532/Lake-County/Indiana/County-proposes-new-Systems-Technical-Lead-to-manage-Oracle-reduce-consultant-reliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178532-2b29277de938d86bfc8a21fae9a07132/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182599&Signature=IV0tAEySYCKH5FfP2p1UZ4KdKrAry93gNv7N8GaQkFLhiO~HbrzXO-ZlpS-zpUf-W70y2zQxPqPZzCxmjDaq~-iHmD-R5TtWK-Pfhm-E2GMSjI5ceKPRBNYqZ5QnahsJ0hRtMLER1ste-BGed-3LROjTi27tBBOVkKG1U1qIm1EZ2o55P0JGvssE2vjrWdTwdKz3ct7QWUMw30sQ~E~ddXWQz4S3t56iGuRk7wMGHCGA2Y2n5yep1JkkGS3Da8f-fyQpDGXYsdbQucPn2Z0YxzehAFLiaJwxYAy9WDi1R5GvnV9J-cqIHIO6RskQ3xgArpIHhwwtM0qAiS7jrVrnyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County leaders presented a proposal to create a new position — a Systems Technical Lead — to oversee Oracle infrastructure and related systems, advise elected officials on software strategy, and reduce reliance on external consultants.

A commissioner proposing the position said the new role would “oversee the infrastructure for the county, specifically in an Oracle specials,” serve as a technical lead for planning Oracle initiatives and act as “a lead technical adviser from a leadership standpoint.” The proposer added the position could help “wean us off our consultants” and provide day‑to‑day in‑house expertise.

Council members and commissioners discussed whether the role would duplicate existing Data/IT functions. One councilor asked whether the proposal duplicated work performed by the data department and whether it would improve overall function. Supporters said the position would provide an internal, long‑term planner to direct consultants and coordinate among departments; one commissioner compared the change to moving from an outside HVAC contractor to having an in‑house HVAC lead who still uses contractors for support.

The proposal indicated the position would be housed in the commissioners’ office alongside existing staff (Ted and HR) and would be expected to be hands‑on with Oracle fixes and future software selection. Proponents argued that, because Oracle offers broader functionality than the county’s previous system (Lawson), an in‑house specialist is needed to shape long‑term architecture, security and integration decisions.

No formal vote or salary figure was recorded in the transcript; council members asked for clarification about duplication with Data and whether the hire could ultimately reduce consultant spending. Speakers said the position would complement existing staff and consultants rather than immediately replace them, and could enable long‑term planning and cost savings.","County leaders proposed adding a Systems Technical Lead housed in the commissioners' office to oversee Oracle infrastructure, plan software initiatives and reduce consultant costs; council members discussed scope, overlap with Data/IT, and placement.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6178537,"Lake County finance staff report audit progress, request consulting and tax-sale appropriations as state per-capita fees rise",203,197000,400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac&start=197&end=400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5215075-3b2e38661454c537e05b2f732c9febac/thumbnail_197000.jpg","/articles/6178537/Lake-County/Indiana/Lake-County-finance-staff-report-audit-progress-request-consulting-and-tax-sale-appropriations-as-state-per-capita-fees-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178537-c6bc58745609bf853d8c1f073c4362db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182599&Signature=okOPnMwqLwzWqRRm3ic5atuJl7nOvfhVTBJyryZ7H7zzKuxB5pKDMNBsL0aofCmgvBmwzivI3DuuviXVyfC46uFBMaL06bngD-u9eEiShShaxJNdJkQFo-0hVAIEu~C-rmqsPYuS4O9rQH44819zCR3AiGc0Ic8iK6V4OK-5jM4h9h7yPnOKkAQVPkTY-O4Z8SgI2i0dpHidufFNg6yGrcSEwK5IaQY~rWw-C1hb91mJdekIm2mDkGSuBtb9r2mrJ1bh03IzPXWWx7F93pBRaCKUEkQ75FLXeDyKxhtUVry~XmRg0jZM-zrRSDSQvvAtUmN71apSPkNxxKQ7S2y-IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake County finance staff told the County Council they have completed most audit work for 2023, will need an expanded consulting appropriation for 2024 and asked for $86,500 to cover tax‑sale processing by a contractor.

The finance discussion opened with a staff member saying, “we're pushing a 100,000,” for consulting support tied to 2024 audit work and later adding that, based on current progress, “I don't think we'll come close to that.” The staff credited in‑house work—naming Liliana for month‑by‑month reconciliation—and said detailed transaction support will reduce uncertainty in closing the books.

Council members were also told the county requested an additional appropriation of $86,500 for the contractor Onyx Electronics, which manages online tax‑sale transaction processing. A finance speaker said the most recent tax sale “was the highest in Lake County history in terms of number of transactions” and that Onyx’s owner told staff the sale “went the smoothest because of the people that we have in place.” The speaker also said the tax‑sale unit had been short two staff members most of the year.

The finance presentation included a briefing on state legislation that will affect future budgets. A staff member identified House Bill 1120 and said it “established a fixed per capita rate by year up to, like, 2029” and read the scheduled rates the county will face: $0.86 per capita for 2025, $1.02 for 2026, $1.18 for 2027, $1.34 for 2028 and $1.50 for 2029. The speaker said the county will need to build those increases into next year’s budget planning and recommended staff coordinate with the auditor (Scott) to confirm the projected resident counts used in the formula.

Council discussion emphasized cleanup of general ledger processes and reducing manual work. A finance speaker said the county is “going through month by month, base payment by bank statement” and that the current process is “a tedious, horrendously slow process,” but praised staff doing that work. Multiple council members asked staff to identify what process and staffing changes will prevent recurring problems and whether some consultant work could be brought in‑house over time.

No formal vote on the requested appropriations was recorded in the transcript during this segment. Staff said they would return with budget numbers and work with the auditor to ensure next year’s estimates reflect the House Bill 1120 per‑capita schedule.

The council also discussed the broader audit implications: the finance speaker said Oracle’s ledger behavior required unwinding prior entries and restoring correct general ledger (GL) processes, and that fixing those root causes is necessary to avoid repeating manual corrections.

The council did not adopt a final appropriation in the recorded remarks; staff described follow‑up steps including confirming numbers with the auditor and preparing formal appropriation requests for a future meeting.","County finance staff told the council the 2023 audit work is nearly complete, asked for an additional consulting appropriation for 2024 and $86,500 to cover higher tax-sale processing costs, and warned that House Bill 1120 establishes rising per‑capita assessment rates through 2029.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sheriff seeks permission to apply for addiction‑support and school‑safety grants; council asks about local match

Council hears update on Hermits Lake funding and negotiates with Crown Point on sewer billing approach

Council to consider narrowing county veterans' burial benefit window to two years to match federal rule

County proposes new Systems Technical Lead to manage Oracle, reduce consultant reliance

Lake County finance staff report audit progress, request consulting and tax-sale appropriations as state per-capita fees rise