Porter County advances health-department fee update and temporary-tattoo regulation on first reading

Porter County commissioners advanced two health-department ordinances on first reading at their July 14 meeting: a revision to the Board of Health fee structure and a new ordinance to permit and regulate temporary tattoo and body-piercing facilities.

Dave Hollenbeck, counsel for the health department, told commissioners the fee-update ordinance reflects an intent to keep the department’s tax impact minimal while ensuring fees remain aligned with costs. He said the proposal is not a major change but permits regular evaluation and modest increases so services remain appropriately funded.

Dan Boyd, identified in the record as the environmental health director, described the second ordinance as a response to a rise in temporary tattoo operations in the county and a lack of local regulatory authority. The proposed rules would allow the health department to identify temporary operators, inspect them, and issue permits intended to protect residents who receive tattoos or body piercings.

Chair opened and closed a public hearing for each ordinance; no members of the public spoke for or against either measure during the meeting. Commissioners moved and approved both items on first reading by voice vote. Hollenbeck and Boyd were available to answer commissioners' questions about implementation and public-safety intent.

Both ordinances were advanced to the next step in the county's ordinance process; the transcript records first-reading approval but did not provide final effective dates or fee schedules beyond what staff discussed in general terms.