Commissioners hold first reading of ordinance requiring identification of land‑prospecting contractors, consider 12‑month sunset

The LaPorte County Board of Commissioners on April 1 held a first reading of Ordinance 2026‑2, which would require commercial entities engaged in land prospecting and site testing to display identification and register with county authorities.

President Steve Holifield said residents reported unmarked vehicles and contractors working early in the morning near data center sites. County Attorney Guy DiMartino said he drafted the ordinance in consultation with the sheriff’s office and the building department but cautioned that both offices are busy and enforcement may not be a high priority. DiMartino recommended adding a sunset provision—suggesting 12 months—so the Board can reassess whether the ordinance is needed.

Building Commissioner Mike Polan told commissioners that contractors should register with his office prior to work but acknowledged ‘‘Slim Shaddys’’ sometimes show up and start work without notice. Polan supported a sunset provision to avoid an unnecessarily broad permanent regulation while still creating a mechanism for transparency.

Commissioner Connie Gramarossa asked whether enforcement would require added overtime; Polan said he would attempt to incorporate enforcement into daily duties but could not guarantee immediate responses to complaints. The Board voted to read the ordinance by title only to advance the process and a public hearing was recommended before second reading.

Why it matters: the proposed ordinance responds to resident complaints about unmarked vehicles and potential safety or transparency concerns near construction or testing sites; the sunset concept is intended to limit regulatory expansion unless persistent problems are documented.

Next steps: County staff to schedule a public hearing and return the ordinance for second reading after public input and any adjustments.