Porter County Council approves 2026 budget adjustments, adds AEDs and funds public defender shortfall

The Porter County Council on a unanimous vote approved adjustments to the 2026 budget that fund additional automated external defibrillators and shore up the public defender supplemental account.

At the meeting the clerk read notice of proposed adjustments including a $69,827.63 general-fund hourly line, $40,000 for legal services and a $7,500 increase to 'AED responder' supplies tied to an American Heart Association grant. A health department representative said the $7,500 grant will help buy additional AEDs and supplies for the county’s Hearts Safe program. “American Heart Association is us a $7,500 grant to buy additional AEDs and additional supplies for our AHA team member that’s working with us now,” the health department representative said.

Separately, public defender Mr. Elwood told the council the supplemental fee-based account that had covered some expenses has fallen short and that employees were behind on pay. “My employees are owed money since January, so I need to pay it now,” Mr. Elwood said, explaining the request for a $40,000 transfer to cover legal appropriations. He said some grant revenues and fee receipts are expected later in the year that should help replenish the fund.

Council members asked procedural questions about advertising and timing; the auditor’s office confirmed the appropriation request had been advertised in two places before the vote. On roll call the appropriation to the public defender fund passed unanimously.

The council also conducted a second reading of the appropriations and approved the package by roll call, finalizing the adjustments approved earlier in the meeting.

What’s next: The appropriations approved at second reading take effect per the council’s budget procedures. The council did not record any additional staff assignments tied to these appropriations at the meeting.