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Porter County commissioners approve reorganizations, multiple appointments, contracts and routine bills
Summary
At their Jan. 6 meeting the board elected Ed Morales as president, approved routine consent items, reappointed county attorney Scott McClure and approved numerous appointments, contract awards, pay applications and agreements including a property transfer to the city of Portage.
Porter County commissioners used their first meeting of 2026 to reorganize leadership, confirm routine business and approve a series of appointments and contracts across county departments.
Leadership and personnel: Commissioners nominated and approved Ed Morales as board president and approved a vice president nomination for Barbara by voice vote. The board reappointed Scott McClure as county attorney.
Consent and procurement: The consent agenda — payroll, claims and minutes — was approved. Staff recommended awards on multiple bids (including diesel supply to Triple J Wire and calcium chloride awards where only one bidder responded), and commissioners approved pay applications for a range of capital projects, including Ellis Road and jail building pay apps.
Boards and committees: The board approved multiple reappointments and new appointments to county boards and committees, including the board of health (appointing Amanda Alanis), convention and visitors commission reappointments (Rich Riley), opioid committee reappointments (Chuck Harris, Megan Wishlinski) and Parks & Recreation reappointment (Brian Osmond), among others.
Agreements and property actions: The board approved a cooperative funding and development agreement involving the Porter County Expo Center and Museum, a six-month contract extension for the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Center with the General Services Administration, and approved a resolution to convey Shadow Wood Pond property to the City of Portage, which must follow statutory steps to obtain title.
Zoning and events: Commissioners handled a first reading and public hearing for a UDO zoning map amendment (Greenway District to Rural Residential) and approved an annual race permit for April 4, 2026.
Committee formation: The board agreed to create a nine-member South County fire feasibility committee to review the West Township Fire District’s status; staff will draft guidelines and a resolution for the committee.
All routine motions listed above were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.
Next steps: Staff will prepare the South County fire committee resolution, send the salt appropriation request to the county council, and return with any contract details or follow-up reports requested by commissioners.
