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LaPorte County approves payroll and $2.64M in operating claims; Animal Shelter authorized to seek up to $18,500
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Summary
Auditor Mike Rosenbaum read payroll of $1,567,228.89 and operating claims of $2,643,963.34, both approved 3‑0; the Board authorized the Animal Shelter director to approach Council for up to $18,500 to replace a commercial washer/dryer and noted a corrected NIPSCO sales‑tax billing error.
At its April 1 meeting, the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners approved payroll and operating claims and granted permission for the Animal Shelter to seek a limited additional appropriation.
Auditor Mike Rosenbaum read payroll ending March 20, 2026 totaling $1,567,228.89 and operating expense claims totaling $2,643,963.34; commissioners voted 3‑0 to approve both sets of claims. Rosenbaum described remote invoice-review controls used by his office and said staff discovered a sales‑tax charge on NIPSCO bills; NIPSCO has refunded one year’s worth of sales tax after the issue was identified.
Rosenbaum also reported the Animal Shelter needs a replacement commercial washer/dryer. The Board authorized Director Brooke Kegebein to approach the County Council for additional appropriation for equipment, with Commissioner Connie Gramarossa adding an instruction that the request not exceed $18,500; the motion carried 3‑0.
Why it matters: the claims approvals move ongoing county operations forward and the Animal Shelter request could require a Council appropriation to address an immediate equipment need.
Next steps: the Auditor’s office will continue processing claims and monitoring controls; the Animal Shelter director will make a formal Council request for up to $18,500.