Porter County RDC approves $390,000 contract with MKSK Inc. for comprehensive plan

The Porter County Redevelopment Commission voted Dec. 18 to approve a contract with MKSK Inc. to prepare a countywide comprehensive plan, including a supplemental demographic, economic and housing market profile, for a combined not-to-exceed price of $390,000.

Mike Jabeau, a staff member who presented the proposal, said “The base contract is for $365,000. There’s also a supplemental task called the demographic, economic and housing market profile for additional $25,000 or not to exceed, which will bring the grand total up to $390,000.” He described the optional task as a regional-market pulse to inform guidance in the plan.

The commission emphasized the plan is advisory. “The comprehensive plan is a guidance document. It's nothing more than that,” Jabeau said, adding the product is intended to give local decision-makers a tool for zoning, development and related policy choices.

Presenters and commissioners discussed timing and usefulness. The contract work was described as likely to take place through calendar year 2025 and to include substantial public involvement with residents, businesses and other stakeholders. Commissioners noted the county’s last comprehensive plan dated to 2001 and said that long gaps between updates can make later refreshes more costly and leave decision-makers without current guidance.

Board members asked whether the supplemental $25,000 market profile would include regional comparisons; staff said it would likely draw on Chicagoland and other regional market data and show regional trends, not a direct county-to-county score. The supplemental research was described as most useful within three to five years after completion.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the contract and a second was given. The motion carried on a voice vote; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

The presenter said participants could sign the contract after the meeting. Staff also introduced Susan Hale as a new planner on the county team who will attend future RDC meetings.

The commission’s action funds the consultant contract described above and does not itself change ordinances or implement projects; commissioners and staff said subsequent policy or zoning changes would follow separate processes and additional public input.