Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
LaPorte County auditor says $2.6 million state boost should go to reserves as budget work begins
Summary
County Auditor Mike Rosenbal told the council the state has allocated about $2.6 million in supplemental local‑income tax distributions and urged the council to build reserves; he also outlined new state rules that will affect county fees, municipal‑advisor reporting and a community corrections trust fund.
LaPorte County Auditor Mike Rosenbal reported to the council on May 27 that the state has distributed roughly $2.6 million in supplemental local‑income tax funds to the county and recommended the board place the money into reserves rather than spending it immediately.
"We are receiving $2.6 million in change," Rosenbal said, and noted that the distribution included shifts in certified shares tied to public safety and economic‑development accounts. He advised caution in the short term while the county finalizes its budget.
Rosenbal outlined a series of state statutory and administrative changes council members must track as they finish budgets. He said SB92 creates a county community‑corrections trust fund whose uses will be limited to commissary‑related expenditures; HB101 narrows permissible uses of building and construction‑related fees to direct review costs; and HB1210 requires municipal‑advisor contract uploads and offers new publication options for legal notices.
The auditor also shared a timeline for local budget work: department budget inputs and form 144 are due back to the auditor’s office by June 15, and the office is requiring three‑year capital asset plans to help forecast needs. Rosenbal said the Association of Indiana Counties has contracted with an analytics firm to model combined tax rates and credits for 2028, and encouraged council members to select a representative or allow the auditor to attend the task‑force meetings.
Why it matters: the $2.6 million represents one‑time, state‑driven revenue adjustments; the auditor’s recommendation to shore up reserves preserves flexibility against future revenue uncertainty and statutory changes. The council set formal budget‑hearing dates for July and directed departments to meet the June 15 submission deadline.
What’s next: the county’s formal budget hearings are scheduled July 20–22; Rosenbal and staff will present draft figures and the council will consider appropriations and any transfers informed by the new state rules.
