Porter County starts comprehensive-plan update; schedules joint training for commissioners

Porter County planning staff announced a consultant will lead a comprehensive-plan update and said a project kickoff meeting is scheduled this week as the county begins a multi-month planning process.

Mike, a planning staff member, told the commission that the county engaged a firm identified as MKS to prepare the comprehensive plan and that the project will require substantial public input. “We do have an active project with the consultant,” Mike said, adding staff will hold a project kickoff meeting this Friday and expects the process to take nine to 11 months.

Commissioners also discussed training for planning members. Staff said the commission will conduct a joint training session with DCA and that Kate King and Garrett Hartritz have been contracted to lead the session. Staff suggested potential dates in February or early March and said organizers will try to select dates that allow the most members to attend.

A commissioner emphasized the need for periodic training. “Every few years, we really do need to do this. The statutes change. Our responsibilities change,” a commissioner said, urging members to attend to reduce liability and improve decision making.

Staff said training will cover legal responsibilities, the county code, and practical decision-making steps for commissioners, including how to handle conditional approvals and findings of fact. No formal action was recorded on the comprehensive-plan engagement or the training schedule at the meeting; staff said they will return with dates and further public-engagement details.

At the start of the meeting staff welcomed two new commission members, Ed Brales and Greg Kenworthy.