LaPorte County Plan Commission elects leadership, confirms appointments

LaPorte County Plan Commission members unanimously elected new leadership and confirmed key appointments during their Jan. 27, 2026 meeting at the LaPorte County Government Complex.

Rita Beaty was nominated and approved as president after a motion from Eric Pointon and a second from John Carr; the commission closed nominations and recorded an 8-0 vote. After taking the chair, Beaty called for vice-presidential nominations. Eric Pointon nominated James (Jimmy) Pressell III for vice president; Andrew Chlupacek seconded. That nomination also was approved unanimously.

The commission then moved through a set of routine annual appointments. Michael Polan, who serves as LaPorte County Building Commissioner, read the list of appointments that included an appointment to the Board of Zoning, confirmation of the Building Commissioner/Recording Secretary position, and the commission attorney slot. James (Jimmy) Pressell nominated Eric Pointon for the Board of Zoning appointment; Joe Tuholski seconded and the commission approved the appointment by an 8-0 vote. Eric Pointon nominated Michael Polan for the Recording Secretary/Building Commissioner role; John Carr seconded and the appointment was approved unanimously.

For the plan commission attorney position, Eric Pointon nominated Douglas (Doug) Biege, and James Pressell seconded. President Beaty said she had spoken with Mr. Biege and that he was willing to accept the appointment; the commission approved the nomination 8-0.

All procedural motions reported in the meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote (8-0). The reorganizational actions set leadership and staff roles that will guide the commission’s work on zoning and planning matters in the coming year.

The commission did not take up substantive zoning cases or policy decisions at this meeting; members indicated they would return next month with committee reports and any follow-up needed from the reorganizational appointments.