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RDC approves one-year as-needed contract with Barnes & Thornburg for special counsel
Summary
The Porter County RDC voted to contract Barnes & Thornburg LLP for as-needed special counsel services in 2025 to supplement county counsel on TIF and redevelopment matters; the one-year contract passed with one commissioner abstaining.
The Porter County Redevelopment Commission on March 25 approved a one-year, as-needed professional services agreement with Barnes & Thornburg LLP for special counsel services, with the contract described as available to supplement county counsel on tax increment financing and redevelopment matters.
Commission staff said the agreement is an as-needed contract to bring Barnes & Thornburg attorneys, specifically Tom Pittman, when regional expertise on TIF allocation areas and similar redevelopment issues is required. "This is an as needed contract only when needed to supplement current council," a staff presenter said. The board described the engagement as standard procedure to obtain outside counsel expertise on complex redevelopment matters.
Commissioners asked whether the contract covered a single year; staff confirmed it was a one-year, on-call agreement. The board moved and seconded the motion and approved the contract by voice vote; during the vote one commissioner announced an abstention and the chair declared the motion approved.
The agreement was described as intended to be used sparingly and at the board's direction to provide specialized legal work on issues such as TIF allocation areas; no detailed fee schedule was presented during the meeting but staff said the contract would be used only when needed.
Ending: The commission approved the contract and will engage Barnes & Thornburg only as required to supplement in-house counsel on redevelopment legal matters.
