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La Porte council adopts resolution to use Indiana public–private procurement option
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Summary
The La Porte Common Council on April 20 approved a resolution adopting the provisions of Indiana Code subsection 5-23 to permit public–private agreements as an alternative procurement method for local projects; a representative from Avenue urged the council that the tool can help the city move beyond low-bid limitations on large infrastructure work.
La Porte’s Common Council voted April 20 to adopt a resolution that enables the city to use Indiana Code subsection 5-23 for public–private agreements, giving the city an alternative procurement method for certain projects.
The measure, introduced by Councilwoman Huffman and presented for its first reading, passed on a voice vote. Mayor Tom Dermody framed the move as part of the city’s response to aging infrastructure and constrained state funding, saying La Porte’s water, wastewater and road systems are long overdue for substantial work.
Avenue representative Travis Underhill told the council the statute allows local governments to evaluate proposals on qualifications, programmatic approaches and other criteria rather than strictly on the lowest bid. “It really allows you to procure, to complete your projects from a different perspective instead of just being forced to utilize the low bid for anything and everything,” Underhill said, noting the approach can include private financing or bonding depending on the project.
Underhill urged a longer-term view for roads and asset management, suggesting the city could apply layered treatments to different parts of the network so deeper repairs are targeted and preservation strategies buy time elsewhere. Council members asked about examples and financing; Underhill said each project is different and cited work Avenue has done for Indianapolis, Carmel and other Indiana municipalities.
The resolution authorizes the city to adopt and utilize all provisions of Indiana Code subsection 5-23 for projects the governing board determines appropriate; it also ratifies prior actions taken under similar frameworks. Council members said adoption allows staff and council to explore procurement and financing options before committing to specific projects. The council approved the measure and the item will return for further implementation planning and staff review.
