[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6153689,"mediaKeyId","5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f","parentId",5491253,"title","Council approves opioid-fund appropriation to keep opioid/mental-health outreach through year’s end","audioSeconds",310,"startMs",2362000,"endMs",2672000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f&start=2362&end=2672","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f/thumbnail_2362000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6153689/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Council-approves-opioid-fund-appropriation-to-keep-opioidmental-health-outreach-through-years-end","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153689-2a1c5772c0a69b403756fe168e6b6b77/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112596&Signature=ax2bqQNyK8U7nHOIBYDu7nOPFADyTfaXV2euu1s5w3ED5wNyq9J6yUozNeN8Dsy0l6pdyfd~sez~BFsDneBGl~vE6ggllSY7a9YgTo4JEAGd8yFKbnYjm5W1GPmUVKtGgNeEzoOvVTHRnrmb55X9IAWobAgYSOINMYvNt8UcHnQGH~DGdKQ4cgrsSOlkUS6P9gMHh0mxZbjWgiBZxQlMegsM-9Xe0HNIwRthhiW99aYsKNUiRfENK1~ONauVuG2d5iUiip9CybBTtmnRPmc5UQVImwou-gvWZE1JqNXARlfTLvt6NZ80Z~srT1ROB2jsIx5VXmcfeOoiX0~zHcveqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Joseph County, IN","date","2025-07-09T14:44:56Z","article","The Saint Joseph County Council on July 8 approved Bill 56-25, authorizing the Department of Health to use opioid-restricted funds to cover salary and program costs for an opioid-focused health promotion specialist from July 26 to Dec. 31, 2025.

Amy Rupi, finance director for the health department, said the department lost two grants in March and expects a 73.3% reduction in Health First Indiana funding for 2026. To keep the program running in the short term, the department requested appropriation from the county’s opioid-restricted fund to pay salary, mileage and programming costs for one specialist focused on opioid use and mental health.

County financial staff confirmed the opioid-restricted money comes from national opioid settlements and is distributed to counties on a schedule. “It’s correct. It’s, like it's not in our lawsuit. It's like a class action,” a county fiscal representative said.

The bill received a favorable committee recommendation and drew no public opposition at the hearing. Councilman Tanner moved to approve; Councilwoman Hess seconded. The roll call vote was 9-0 in favor.

The appropriation is intended as a bridge to sustain services while the department pursues other funding avenues. Council members and staff cited the appropriateness of opioid-settlement dollars for opioid-use prevention and related programming.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Joseph County Council Public Hearing Pt 1 7/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Bill 56-25 passed 9-0 to appropriate opioid-restricted funds to cover one health promotion specialist and related programming through Dec. 31, 2025, after two grants were clawed back and state funding for Health First Indiana was reduced by 73.3% for 2026.","taxTitle","St. Joseph County, Indiana","taxId",3920,"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},6153694,"Council approves $25,126 payout for severed APS staff; residents ask about oversight of outside contractor",413,1975000,2388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f&start=1975&end=2388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f/thumbnail_1975000.jpg","/articles/6153694/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Council-approves-25126-payout-for-severed-APS-staff-residents-ask-about-oversight-of-outside-contractor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153694-4c89edaa6f0b5ee20c8820b40d8d5038/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112596&Signature=dxaN1nuPCljAMSZ05ENjUhTl4IvNbQGiq2-h~VebOaaaRNxwrt88uaOB-OaCDw7zsbNNQaVgB2lX0omRCwCGA-uNjHUOYAbbu6DvX2T4quQhwmQZosuLx5VObEjKmmRzYWynE5pXyHqoNUdPPxYqSUr~0imlosT3hrmZgTpLGlUDM0Pbpd447dkMsJ6gUHMVKYrfkd2g-55INTJZYMaemAmpo-OWcixZ45njZzuiRAyc5jdBlkWSCvcEm2Kx9oQPLSHh~~msODzldNkiRg94Aer4NpwScP-gpENmWfb6cEF28Z80nAl2UC3G~23dw7U2B4ZUnysmvPWsfgeoDDaRnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Joseph County Council approved Bill 55-25 on July 8 to appropriate $25,126 from the prosecutor’s pretrial/diversion fund (Fund 7398) to cover accrued paid time off and payroll-related fringe costs for adult protective services (APS) investigators whose unit moved from the prosecutor’s office to an outside company.

Bob Raisen Hoover of the prosecutor’s office said the APS investigators were severed effective July 1 and that all but one investigator have been hired by the outside firm. “These people are all severed as of July 1. So this takes their PTO and the payroll fringes that's due to those payments, and it's for the $25,126,” he said. He added the fund requires council approval for such appropriations.

At public comment, Tom Morrow asked whether the county retains a check-and-balance through the prosecutor’s office to ensure senior citizens receive appropriate treatment under the new contractor. Raisen Hoover and Council members responded that the prosecutor’s office would provide oversight and that most investigators had been rehired by the firm, which the prosecutor viewed as encouraging.

Council members noted the pretrial/diversion fund balance cited in the hearing (Raisen Hoover said the fund held roughly $242,240 as of June). Councilwoman Hess said it was good news that investigators familiar with the community were retained by the new contractor. Councilman Figg moved to approve the bill; Councilman Tanner seconded. The roll call vote was 9-0 in favor.

The appropriation covers PTO and fringe payments for separated staff; it does not itself change contract terms or the county’s oversight arrangements. Council members said oversight and quality concerns would continue to be monitored through the prosecutor’s office.","Bill 55-25 passed 9-0 to appropriate $25,126 from the prosecutor’s pretrial/diversion fund to cover remaining PTO and payroll fringes for adult protective services investigators who were transferred to an outside company; public commenters asked how the county will ensure continued oversight and protection for seniors.",{"_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},6153697,"Council approves IP&G salary changes to fill planner, GIS and code-enforcement gaps",372,1628000,2000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f&start=1628&end=2000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f/thumbnail_1628000.jpg","/articles/6153697/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Council-approves-IPG-salary-changes-to-fill-planner-GIS-and-code-enforcement-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153697-c50b857cf87b6ce4a8cc0094e901a0e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112596&Signature=QUQsZIkhbrnfNyGE5JajBNiJASOUIf2f0phMZ40woKSIkUsRKUWPAh3OHvaw29s~ekkmkQ9F-EMn6UqcWGrK8ijkWy8VPpa5~-UKfghO0zot2PDCU2gD4MhRK1mZI5cI~2kKVLaFkTmJmd8nvaZeNgVlLeR0J-xGYmD8NsXURSkXE6BUu0sc2RaQKa8QYcgurobGtjqPJ~ey9mS4S7bXzsIKWwxHwMYUaL6OjkMJUFzS0ZLqMawSz9nlSTLue10b4rQ9WEf72f57EMCmBmPxN561YPi45-F18O6-JkuDfPLv8AUyeb-KcCWkH9DDrFjadLi1oG3bvIN4~oQb3J66tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Joseph County Council on July 8 approved Bill 54-25, an amendment to the county salary ordinance for 2025 affecting positions in the Infrastructure, Planning & Growth (IP&G) department.

Bill Shelio, IP&G economic development director, told the council the department seeks to reduce three planner positions by one as part of the budget season and to raise one planner and one economic development specialist salary to $72,060 so they are aligned. He also proposed increasing two code enforcement positions from $56,500 to $62,000, raising the GIS manager from $66,941 to $84,000 (an increase of $17,059) and moving the GIS technician from $63,130 to $67,000 (an increase of $3,869).

Shelio said the requested salary changes are funded from existing salary lines that were underspent because of prolonged vacancies; the department said it had been short-staffed for months but expected a GIS technician hire before the end of the week. “These salary changes ... are gonna be a good help to get us a good candidate for this position,” Shelio said of the GIS technician increase.

Council members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the hearing. A public hearing produced no speakers for or against the bill. Councilman Tanner moved to pass the bill; Councilwoman Hess seconded. The roll call vote was 9-0 in favor.

The ordinance amends Ordinance 76-24 (the county’s salary ordinance for 2025) and takes effect as recorded. Implementation will proceed through the county payroll and human-resources processes and is intended to make key IP&G positions competitive in local hiring markets.","Bill 54-25 passed 9-0 to amend 2025 salary ordinance for Infrastructure, Planning & Growth: reduction of one planner slot, salary upgrades for planners and an economic development specialist to $72,060, code enforcement to $62,000, GIS manager to $84,000 and GIS technician to $67,000 to improve recruitment and match market rates.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6153700,"Council advances petition to vacate old Fir Road right-of-way after residents object to proposed path",0,4530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f&start=4530&end=4530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f/thumbnail_4530000.jpg","/articles/6153700/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Council-advances-petition-to-vacate-old-Fir-Road-right-of-way-after-residents-object-to-proposed-path","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153700-88cae910a9931c6e204417225b4edba9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112596&Signature=h5HsYeTYULCVX2C15SWl4vTMCYG5EC7b0rQNMy8KB4SNE6dL0N1uHQzIHl6EUGz6fJLxql4KQXW~EXisM39JQbXvN3YCku42TlibAkoIl56LHHhbMnqLz7avakmBDnirCma8q3iTsQT5c9X0ckE4UL9VVB7qgHRNVWGdBm6IOpcgoEt2M5txihvWUZ0e3TqTF~ZhmXVRQSFOecZUTSwEl-6ge9ajZkQJXlwUzLcANTNiWk144VtqBtBQlVfM7ToIRcRpYDSf6BUfKmAWGdY2obhZYVRzvKJ6MoskhcRIDWPwhCNRyCcwSdqxLmhmOXe5EVCN0mqVggS8~CCpDVNvzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Joseph County Council on July 8 voted 9-0 to send Bill 51-25 favorably to vacate a segment of old Fir Road right-of-way in Penn Township that now lies between the new Fir Road alignment and a private subdivision.

Petitioners said the right-of-way has been unused for years and that vacating it will return the land to adjacent homeowners and the subdivision’s association. Terry Lang, attorney for the petitioners, said the area is overgrown and is used as a retention area; he provided a petition signed by 31 residents supporting the vacation. He told the council utilities would retain easements if the right-of-way is vacated.

Multiple residents told the council they oppose routing a proposed Granger Paths multiuse trail through the vacated corridor and into the subdivision’s cul-de-sac. David Smesser, a homeowner and HOA board member, said residents learned only recently that the trail group planned a spur into their neighborhood and that they opposed the trail entering private yards. “We were able to, to go for the petition,” Smesser said, explaining neighbors organized and signed a petition to vacate.

Other residents cited privacy, safety and lighting concerns for children and families if a pathway were to pass directly behind homes. Bruce Harley said the corridor functions as common green space for the villa area and warned that opening it to through traffic would change the neighborhood character. Carolee Robertson, an owner whose property borders the corridor, said prior utility work already reduced vegetation that formerly shielded backyards and called additional through-traffic “noisy.”

Area Plan Commission staff and the county engineer and surveyor reviewed the vacation request and reported no objections; APC staff said the former right-of-way became unimproved after the reassignment of Fir Road and that vacation was reasonable. Sean Klein, APC director, said the roadway was effectively terminated with a cul-de-sac after the reroute and that the vacation would formalize current use.

Council members noted the project’s history — the right-of-way was created and later rendered obsolete during earlier road relocations — and acknowledged residents’ privacy concerns. Councilman Thomas moved to send the bill favorably; Councilwoman Drake seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 9-0.

Next steps include formal recording of the vacation if subsequent ministerial steps are completed and any required easements for utilities are retained. The council and staff said they received petitions and letters from homeowners documenting support for the vacation and opposition to routing a multiuse trail through private yards.","The council sent Bill 51-25 favorably after public testimony from Quail Ridge Villas and Quail Ridge South residents who opposed a proposed Granger Path spur through their backyards; petitioners and homeowners urged vacating the unused right-of-way that dates from the subdivision’s reconfiguration.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6153703,"County Council approves rezoning for 70-acre industrial area along Fillmore Road",1571,2712000,4283000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f&start=2712&end=4283","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5491253-0c9aecc60ea9a75d10a3c68b855ad51f/thumbnail_2712000.jpg","/articles/6153703/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/County-Council-approves-rezoning-for-70-acre-industrial-area-along-Fillmore-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153703-68cde72a7b5643e26e695201fcaaa333/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112596&Signature=DpLuB8qMClYwIVDKTSDgsHcl220OZvxYxsUyyMFgp7B7KdXxr9c5PG8ShaYEzuIy-erLSjZXxXbDQ7lf0ko7MHhlQCPX~SAvVVdKmZYErZwxhMuTI6pVtVjESh-N8QTOIrZZwhglpo2bmZnGbK~lcwHJDLAg5cfhsb6BES1~yrSx6L2ezKbjYKL4SSAIiNgPk4CWeFwHtydv8B8hJL2vPudMIWSFHfmY6MT~499kJYMYhqVyRb947rsm9CgBEHUHjOsQD8rmkKvKe4vOj3j2FxSpxPiKlirqteTg4GRnHG0UYFVJEA3BbfKK1CC5X7hGGB6fprHshsG7d-FCATBOlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Joseph County Council on July 8 voted 9-0 to rezone roughly 70 acres near Fillmore Road from Agricultural to Industrial, approving Bill 49-25.

The change, petitioned by the county commissioners and redevelopment commission, applies the IEC (Industrial Employment Center) overlay to five parcels and is intended to allow a small NIPSCO facility on a southwest corner lot and future industrial or supplier uses on adjoining land. The Area Plan Commission recommended the rezoning by a 7-2-1 vote, and council members said the IEC overlay limits several heavy industrial uses.

Sean Klein, director of the Area Plan Commission, told the council the site lies in the IEC core development area and would become subject to that overlay’s development standards if rezoned. “Per the site plan provided, it does show the immediate intent of this rezoning is to establish a NIPSCO facility on that smaller parcel,” Klein said. Economic development planner Terry O’Brien said the county has contacted landowners in the core development area about potential infrastructure and that two small parcels had already been acquired to support the project.

Opponents at the public hearing said the rezoning continues industrial conversion of agricultural land and risks lower property values and increased traffic. Dan Caruso of New Carlisle called it “industrial sprawl” and urged the council to stop further expansions. Steve Francis and other residents asked why industrial setbacks are 50 feet and urged protections similar to recent solar setback changes.

Council members and staff said the rezoning is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the IEC overlay’s limits. Klein noted that the IEC overlay specifically prohibits uses such as slaughterhouses, confined animal feeding operations, sewage treatment plants, coal and nuclear power plants, junk salvage yards, metal shredders and landfills. Councilman Thomas, whose district includes the property, said he supported the rezoning because it lies inside the IEC core and is intended to concentrate industrial development.

A motion to approve Bill 49-25 was made by Councilman Tanner, seconded by Councilman Catanzarite, and passed on a roll call vote of 9-0. The rezoning will allow the subdivision of the parcels to create the NIPSCO lot and a new road (Supplier Village Drive) to serve future industrial lots. Implementation will proceed through the county’s subdivision and plan-review permitting process, which staff said will address site access, utilities and stormwater requirements.

Background materials provided at the hearing list the affected addresses and show the parcel layout; the APC record notes four public remonstrances at the APC hearing primarily citing conversion of agricultural land. The council’s action does not itself approve any future site plans or special uses beyond the zoning change.","The Saint Joseph County Council voted 9-0 to rezone about 70 acres along Fillmore Road from agricultural to industrial (Bill 49-25), clearing the way for a NIPSCO facility and potential supplier parcels; the decision drew opposition from residents who warned of industrial sprawl and property-value impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves opioid-fund appropriation to keep opioid/mental-health outreach through year’s end

Council approves $25,126 payout for severed APS staff; residents ask about oversight of outside contractor

Council approves IP&G salary changes to fill planner, GIS and code-enforcement gaps

Council advances petition to vacate old Fir Road right-of-way after residents object to proposed path

County Council approves rezoning for 70-acre industrial area along Fillmore Road