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Porter County Council approves $69,008.27 transfer to fund part‑time hazmat responders and create nonreverting account
Summary
The Porter County Council voted unanimously to move $69,008.27 into a nonreverting account to fund part‑time hazmat responder coverage, with roughly $41,401.80 planned for annual personnel costs; commissioners must formally create the fund before spending.
Porter County Council voted to transfer $69,008.27 into a nonreverting account to support part‑time hazmat responder coverage and related supplies, after a lengthy discussion about whether to earmark only the salary portion or allow the full amount to roll into the new fund.
Lance Bella, identified in the record as the Emergency Management (EMA) director, told the council the department has received roughly $69,027.63 annually in Homeland Security-related reimbursements and proposed using that money to create a nonreverting fund and pay multiple part‑time responders. "My intention was to take the $69.08, put it into the nonreverting fund," Bella said, adding that he planned to use about $41,401.80 of that amount annually to cover staffing while letting the remainder roll over as a reserve. "I have no intention on touching that money. Trust me," he said.
Council members asked procedural and fiduciary questions about timing and control. One member noted that the nonreverting fund must be created by the county commissioners before money is formally placed there; Bella said he had discussed the plan with commissioners and human resources and expected the mechanics to be in place by the next council meeting. Council members debated whether to approve only the $41,401.80 salary amount or to move the full $69,008.27 now so funds would be available in a disaster. Supporters argued the larger transfer would avoid emergency delays during disasters and aid retention by providing relief to the current hazmat commander, who the EMA director said has had almost no time off.
After questions about certification requirements for hazmat personnel and hourly pay (the job description shows $30.60 per hour for on‑call shifts and a plan for 8‑hour shifts three days a week), the council approved the transfer by roll call. The motion passed with an affirmative tally recorded in the meeting record.
Next steps: county commissioners must formally establish the nonreverting fund; once created, EMA plans to move the money and begin recruiting multiple part‑time, certified hazmat responders to provide backup and training depth.
