Commissioners approve drafting MOU to study southwest Porter County fire district structure

The Porter County Board of Commissioners voted March 10 to authorize county staff to draft a memorandum of understanding and begin organizing a three-part study structure to examine future fire-protection arrangements in southwest Porter County.

Mike Jabbo presented the proposal, saying the effort should be a transparent, multi-stakeholder process with an "overarching committee" of elected officials, a technical emergency-services committee (fire departments, 911, EMA, West Porter Fire District and other specialists) and a resident committee of property owners from the affected townships. "It's just simply a commitment to explore and discuss and find alternatives and options for consideration," Jabbo told the board.

Jabbo emphasized the MOU would not obligate jurisdictions to any financial commitments or changes; the intent is to gather information and options, with elected officials retaining flexibility to appoint council or commissioner designees. Commissioners discussed statutory changes and the pace of statewide legislative action affecting townships and emergency services, and several members said they supported launching the study now rather than waiting for external mandates.

A motion to approve drafting the memorandum and proceed with refining committee qualifications and advertising for resident members carried by voice vote. Commissioners asked county staff and the county attorney to prepare draft application materials and qualification criteria for the next meeting.

The board also directed staff to present potential timelines and a budget estimate for study tasks; the study will proceed as a county-coordinated review with invited participation from local school superintendents and municipal representatives.