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Council extends animal-control contract through year while county proposes large rate increases
Summary
Council agreed to extend the town's contract with Porter County animal control at the current $27,347 rate through the end of the year while asking for metrics and justification for proposed county increases to roughly $69,891 (2027) and higher in subsequent years.
The Chesterton Town Council voted to extend the town's existing contract with Porter County animal control through the end of the year while requesting more information about a county-proposed rate increase.
Town staff said the current fee arrangement has been $27,347 annually and that the county is proposing to raise the charge to $69,891 in 2027, $72,337 in 2028 and $74,869 in 2029. "We have to have animal control services. It is state statute," the chair said, noting the town's options are limited.
Council members stressed fiduciary responsibility and asked county officials for metrics showing why the proposed increase is needed, what services towns receive for the fee, how often Chesterton residents use the service and whether response gaps have occurred. One councilor said members "want to see some metrics, and reasoning behind where this increase is coming from."
The council moved to extend the current $27,347 contract through the end of the year so staff can analyze options and gather information; members said they would explore alternatives but do not want to return to a time when patrol officers were responsible for dog pickup.
Next steps: staff will request detailed service metrics and cost justifications from Porter County and report back to council before voting on a multi-year commitment.
