LaPorte County Council elected Councilman Adam Kuranka as council president and Councilman Brett Kessler as vice president during its Jan. 5 reorganization meeting and approved support for the county EMS funding line for 2026.

Council President Adam Kuranka was nominated and elected by acclamation after nominations were opened. Kuranka thanked members for their confidence, saying he “appreciate[s] the, the vote of confidence.” Brett Kessler was likewise nominated and affirmed by voice vote as vice president.

The council then addressed the EMS budget line for fiscal year 2026. Council President Kuranka called for a motion to support funding “in the amount of $5,126,961.” Councilman Mike Molenauer moved to support the funding and Councilwoman Jennifer Heath seconded. The council approved the motion by voice vote; the recorded transcript contains one audible “nay” but does not include a roll-call tally.

Also on the agenda, the council moved to retain county legal counsel for 2026. Council President Kuranka said he had received “fairly good support and responsiveness from Mister Bijay,” and the body approved retaining Attorney Bijay by affirmation.

The meeting included a series of board and commission appointments and reappointments. Key outcomes included:
- Alcoholic Beverage Board: appointment was tabled to the regular council meeting to allow coordination with city mayors and county commissioners.
- La Crosse Public Library: Tracy Vernich was reinstated to the board.
- Waneta Public Library: Noel (Howell) was reinstated (transcript contains inconsistent spellings of the surname).
- Westville Public Library: Stephanie Fenters was appointed.
- FMAC (fair/management/events committee): Adam Kuranka and Jimmy/James Pressell were selected as the council’s two representatives after members provided their preferences.
- Peterborough (property) representatives: Erica Miller and Bob Bailey were selected.
- LaPorte County Animal Control Advisory Commission: Brett Kessler was retained as the council’s representative.
- LaPorte County Redevelopment Commission: Jennifer Heath, Brett Kessler and Adam Kuranka were appointed as the council’s representatives following nominations.
- LaPorte County Solid Waste Management District Board: Mike Molenauer was retained.
- LaPorte County Regional Sewer and Water District: Mark Danielson was reappointed; members clarified there was no current business relationship between Mark Danielson and Larson Danielson.

Council members discussed liaison assignments and asked colleagues to submit preferences in writing; they also noted a building maintenance meeting scheduled for Thursday at 10:00 a.m. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: the transcript records acclamation/voice votes for the council president and vice president elections and for most appointments. The EMS funding support motion for $5,126,961 passed by voice vote (no roll-call tally provided in the transcript). The Alcoholic Beverage Board appointment was tabled for a future regular meeting.

What happens next: Appointments tabled for a future regular meeting will return to the council for formal selection; the EMS funding line will be handled as part of the county budget process. The council did not record a roll-call vote for the EMS support motion in the available transcript.