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LaPorte County parks board flags rising utility and vehicle costs, updates Bloom restoration
Summary
At its March 3 meeting the LaPorte County Parks and Recreation Board approved routine business, introduced new member Evan and heard Superintendent Jeremy report that rising electric bills and a failing 2012 truck are squeezing the parks budget; tree work at the Bloom restoration is complete and Red Mill HVAC options remain under review.
The LaPorte County Parks and Recreation Board met March 3 and approved the agenda and minutes before hearing a detailed superintendent report on budget pressures and ongoing projects.
Superintendent Jeremy told the board members they will receive the general ledger by email for detailed review but cautioned the department’s operating budget is strained. He said dues for associations have been paid and that rental income helps supplement operations, but "our equipment repair" fund is nearly exhausted and the department may need to seek additional funding from county council. Jeremy noted the department’s $14,000 electric allocation has already used about $4,000 — roughly 12% more than the same period last year — and that heavier usage months will increase pressure on the account.
Jeremy also described repeated failures of a 2012 Chevrolet maintenance truck, including recent repairs and a subsequent failure; he said an additional $2,700 in work was quoted and staff will ask the county commission and council whether to approve replacement or continue repairs. "Well, now the catalytic converter's clogged," he said while outlining the vehicle's problems.
On capital and maintenance projects, Jeremy reported that tree removal at the Bloom restoration site is complete and that crews salvaged many logs for in-stream restoration work; the removals were scheduled to meet a bat-related removal deadline in mid-March. He said stream and wetland restoration work is expected to begin in spring. The board also heard updates on LED lighting installed at Bloom, new weather-resistant signs for Novak and Kingsbury shelters, and problems with visitor counters at Creek Ridge and other sites; staff plan repairs or replacements to improve accuracy.
Committees reported brief updates: the executive and property committees had no reports; the personnel committee introduced new board member Evan, who will serve on the planning and rules committees; and the planning committee previewed a meeting and described outreach with an artist to consider a sculpture using sawmill parts.
Under old business the board discussed HVAC options for Red Mill and concerns from building maintenance about mini-split units that sometimes fail to reset correctly after power outages; members said they will consult manufacturers and maintenance staff before committing to a $10,000–difference installation. The meeting closed with an adjournment motion; the board set its next meeting for April 14 at Smith Hall on the Red Mill campus.
The board took no votes on ordinances or contracts at this session; routine motions to approve the agenda, minutes and financial reports passed on voice votes.
