Commissioners approve plan to form study committees for southwest Porter County fire services

Porter County commissioners voted March 10 to authorize the drafting of a memorandum of understanding and begin recruitment for a three-part study structure to examine future fire protection in southwest Porter County.

Mike Jbo, who presented the proposal, said the structure would include an overarching committee of elected officials (townships, county and the town of Hein) with invited school superintendents for input, a technical committee of emergency-services personnel to analyze costs and operations, and a resident committee made up of property owners from the affected townships. "It's just simply a commitment to explore and discuss and find alternatives and options for consideration," Jbo said during his presentation.

Commissioners asked that the planning include examples from other counties, review recent legislative changes affecting townships and fire services, and identify state contacts who could advise on statutory constraints and funding. Commissioner Morales and other members emphasized that the MOU would not commit any jurisdiction to funding or ordinance changes; it would be a forum for transparent discussion and options. The board voted to approve drafting the MOU and directed staff to prepare qualifications and advertise for committee membership ahead of the next meeting.

The action is procedural: it starts a study process rather than imposing reforms. Next steps include drafting the proposed MOU, establishing committee membership criteria, and returning to the board with a timeline and proposed charge for the committees.