OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lake County Board of Commissioners Meeting - December 17, 2025

County Boards & Commissions — Wednesday, December 17, 2025
BodyLake County, Indiana
SessionCounty Boards & Commissions
DateWednesday, December 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

So we're doing public.

0:13

Good morning, everyone.

0:15

How are you?

0:17

Sorry, I didn't need to take more.

0:22

Pledge the agents remain standing for a moment asylum.

0:29

And two three public for which is stands one hundred indivisible with liberty and justice for you.

0:52

All right.

0:54

Um I would say rather than read all of the additions and deletions, maybe we can just uh accept agenda as amended or make a motion to accept the agenda as amended.

1:07

Yes.

1:08

Is there a motion to accept the agenda as amended?

1:11

So move, Mr.

1:12

Chairman.

1:12

Second.

1:13

Let the record show the motion carries three-o.

1:15

See, we're saving time already.

1:17

Section three, Commissioners, public opening of vendor responses or request for bids and quotes.

1:22

Uh there's uh four of them.

1:24

Uh request permission to open bids publicly.

1:27

Move to open all bids and quotes.

1:32

Second.

1:34

Wait, but this is not to open, is it?

1:36

Uh oh, yeah, it is.

1:37

I'm sorry.

1:37

You got my bad.

1:38

Second.

1:39

Uh let the record show the motion carries uh three oh.

1:44

Uh section five, approved specification for bids.

1:47

Uh 5.1 commissioners approved plans and specifications to publicly bid uh the building B second floor toilet upgrades, bids are due by January the 21st, 2026, no later than 930 a.m.

1:58

in the office of the lake county auditor.

2:00

5.2 approved plans and specifications to publicly quote the ADA site improvement projects of the Lake County Government Center Complex.

2:08

Bids are due January 21st, 2026, no later than 930 a.m.

2:12

And lastly, 5.3 approved plans and specifications for publicly bid uh the jail laundry electrical service upgrades, bids are due by January 21st, 2026.

2:22

By no rate at 930 a.m.

2:24

in the lake county auditor's office.

2:26

Mr.

2:27

President Commissioner Representation?

2:28

Yes, sir.

2:29

Can we look at 8.54?

2:31

8.54, maybe an additional addition.

2:42

We have bridge road.

2:44

We need that to be bid as well.

2:46

Okay.

2:47

You want to add that one?

2:49

So uh advertised community crossing match grant 2026 for rehab uh bridge road Colfax to Whitcomb.

3:00

Then I will amend my motion to approve specifications for these origin items 5.1 5.25.3 and 8.54.

3:13

Second.

3:14

Thank you.

3:14

Let the record show the motion carries.4 on behalf of uh the reporter's office.

3:23

I believe those can take be taken in omnibus form unless the board has any objection or comments one through eight point four and all Mr.

3:40

Chairman unless there's an objection, then I will move for approval for titles eight point one through eight point four.

3:45

Second.

3:46

Let the record show the motion carries three oh likewise commissioners eight point five through eight point seven on behalf of uh the coroner's office uh multiple contracts we take it in omnibus form yes sir.

4:07

Second uh the record show the motion carries three oh uh items eight point eight through uh eight point one four I believe can also be taken in ominous form on behalf of the board of commissioners chairman yes sir unless there's any objections that would move to approve for Jems 8.8 through 8.14 second any discussion let the record show the motion carries 30 uh item 8.15 and 8.16 on behalf of juvenile court chairman I'll move approve for 8.15 8.16 seconds the record show the motion carries 30 8.17 auditor Sidwell contract uh for software maintenance for support fees and amount of $13,400 and 52 cents for the year 2026 chairman the move for approval just 8.17 seconds to record show the motion carries 30

5:02

Chairman, I'll move for approval for 8.15.

5:04

8.16.

5:06

Second.

5:06

Let the record show the motion carries 3.0.

5:09

8.17 auditor Sidwell contract for software maintenance for support fees and the amount of $13,400 and 52 cents for the year 2026.

5:22

Chairman, the move for approval just 8.17.

5:25

Second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████47%
Public Health███████████████████████████28%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Public Finance Management███████7%
Public Comment███████7%
Mental Health Awareness██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Lake County Board of Commissioners Meeting - December 17, 2025

The Lake County Board of Commissioners met on December 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Crown Point, Indiana. The agenda was amended with multiple additions, deletions, and corrections before adoption. The board approved a large slate of routine contracts, services, and agreements via omnibus votes, deliberated on a few specific items, and heard one public comment. All motions passed unanimously (3-0).

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda Amendments: Approved additions including Prosecutor’s 2026 bond for Bernard Carter, Commissioner’s corrected notice of joint executive session, HVAC unit replacement for Hobart Township Assessor ($13,450.00), multiple Election contracts (e.g., Michael E. Tolbert, Carly A. Brandenburg, Boss Reporters), Highway counter offer for Clark Street Culvert ($28,105.00), Superior Court legal service agreements (John Cantrell, $31,122.00 annually), Calumet Township Septic Tank Elimination project (3-year contract, $12,250.00/month), Highway addenda and wash station replacements, Coroner vehicle ($45,740.28) and radios ($59,214.24), and various maintenance agreements (Otis Elevator $57,702.90, Johnson Controls for Jail $59,589.68 and Juvenile Center $24,822.32). Deletions included Public Defender Brett R. Galvan ($50,000.00), Health Dept contracts with Indiana University ($75,000.00), Purdue Ext. ($22,365.00), and Franciscan CHW ($128,000.00), and repetitive stair replacement addenda. (Items 2.1–2.30)
  • Specifications for Bids: Approved plans for Building B second floor toilet upgrades, ADA Site Improvements, Jail laundry electrical upgrades, and (added) Community Crossing Matching Grant for Ridge Road rehabilitation (bid due Jan 21, 2026). (Items 5.1–5.3, 8.54)
  • Omnibus Contract Approvals (all passed 3-0):
    • Recorder: Software/hardware support renewal ($5,524.47), equipment service ($1,600.00), record storage, and microfilm contract. (8.1–8.4)
    • Coroner: Pathologist contracts (Shiping Bao $102,000.00; Zhuo Wang $393,000.00), medical waste disposal ($27.08/container). (8.5–8.7)
    • Commissioners: Purdue extension services, roof repairs at Jail ($46,832.00), stair replacement addenda, legal services (Derrick Julkes $2,000/month; Joseph S. Irak PC), wastewater management ($4,200.00/month). (8.8–8.14)
    • Juvenile Court: Housing contract with Jasper County, mental health services ($DL Consulting). (8.15–8.16)
    • Auditor: Sidwell software maintenance ($13,403.52). (8.17)
    • E-911: AT&T PSAP agreement, desktop poles ($11,894.10), TV refresh ($12,100.00), NAS device ($10,400.72), monitors ($51,454.00), ProQA licensing ($263,790.00). (8.18, 8.66–8.70)
    • Clerk: Legal services ($55,000.00), professional consulting ($10,800.00). (8.19–8.20)
    • Highway: Multiple utility agreements, road cut permits, bridge amendment ($39,825.00), aggregate/stone awards, cold patch awards, fire alarm services, ice control, mulch seeding, top soil, traffic signs, vegetation management, gasoline/diesel ($313,535.30), legal services (Niquelle Winfrey $4,000/month). (8.21–8.26, 8.53, 8.55–8.65, 8.110–8.115)
    • Surveyor: Contract renewals with Turning Point ($140/hr, not to exceed $35,328.00) and DLZ Indiana. (8.27–8.28)
    • Elections: KnowInk service maintenance, Microvote contract, and added contracts for Tolbert and Brandenburg ($90/hr, not to exceed $26,730.00 each), and Boss Reporters. (8.29–8.30, 8.136–8.138)
    • Data: Bucher Tech printer service agreement. (8.31)
    • Assessor (excluding 8.35): Income Works license ($57,855.00), legal services (Ricardo Hall $13,000/month; Angela Jones $175/hr; Ayn Engle $250/hr), Suburban Cash Register service ($969.12). (8.32–8.34, 8.36–8.37)
    • Health Dept: Multiple contracts including Sounds of Sarah ($25,125.00), Community Healthcare Network ($34,470.00), Purdue Extension NEP ($197,700.00), Hope Alliance ($200,000.00), Victory 4 Kidz ($90,960.00), Young Ladies with a Purpose ($60,000.00), Boys and Girls Club NWI ($200,000.00), St. John Fire Dept ($199,720.00 and $64,900.00), Mental Health America ($25,000.00 and $65,000.00), Griffith PD CIT ($125,000.00), Natalie Demik/CoreNurse ($73,000.00), Michael Benko ($56,000.00), John Cantrell legal ($3,000/month), and amended FetchEH contract ($36,000.00). (8.38–8.50, 8.105–8.109)
    • Superior Court: Legal services (Steven Kurowski $31,122.00 annually; Andrew Tanzillo $15,561.00; The Region Lawyers $15,561.00). (8.95–8.97)
    • Sheriff: Legal services (John Kopack $180,000; Jewell Harris for Sheriff $80,000 and for Corrections Merit Board $20,000; J. Justin Murphy $9,000), Motorola LPR subscription ($86,863.00), WatchGuard in-car video ($39,600.00), and 75 portable radios ($130,837.50). (8.98–8.103, 8.117)
    • Plan Commission: Legal services (Joseph Irak $25,000.00). (8.104)
    • Ross Township Assessor: Cleaning contract ($250/month). (8.116)
    • Commissioners: Pest control (Monroe Pest Control $195/month; Ace Exterminating for multiple locations), Altorfer Power Systems ($50,016.00/year), Per Mar Security (various burglar/fire alarm monitoring), donation to Purdue University Northwest ($19,735.00 for tree inventory), Baker Tilly managed services ($702,000.00), Granicus subscription ($31,991.05), and added items: HVAC for Hobart Assessor ($13,450.00), wash stations at Highway garage ($5,800.00), toilet-sink at Juvenile Center ($5,350.00), Coroner van and radios, Otis Elevator maintenance, Johnson Controls service agreements. (8.118–8.130, 8.133–8.135, 8.143–8.149)
  • Property Disposal: Approved for Auditor, Prosecutor, and Superior Court. (9.1–9.3)
  • Commissioner Items: Approved 2026 meeting schedule (with correction: March 11 instead of March), executive sessions, Calumet Township poor relief decisions, corrected joint executive session notice. (10.1–10.5)
  • Council Items: Approved Ordinance 1515A (Autism Trauma and Injury Prevention Grant Fund), 1515B (Part-Time Pay Rate), and 1515C (2026 Holiday Schedule). (11.1–11.3)
  • State Board of Accounts: Approved payroll voucher registers and hand cuts. (12.1–12.3)
  • Bonds/Insurance: Approved 2026 public official bonds for Clerk (Michael A Brown), Commissioners (Repay, Tippy, Allen), Assessor (LaTonya Spearman), Coroner (David Pastrick), Highway certificate, Prosecutor (Bernard Carter), Recorder (Regina Pimentel). (13.1–13.7)
  • Staff Reports: Weights & Measures monthly report (10/16/25–11/15/25) approved. (15.1)
  • Matters of Public Record: Approved Sheriff mental health nurse practitioner contracts (Roshanda Grayson-Thomas, Susan Campos, Lynda Nathan; each $165,850 annually), corrected joint executive session notice, updated employee insurance enrollment form, Health Officer renewal for Dr. Vavilala (2026–2029), and road salt purchase request. (16.1–16.7)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Shade Care Skill (representing Shine Recovery and For the Love of the Arts) thanked the board for past support and asked about opioid settlement funds. She noted a January 12, 2026 deadline to apply for an additional $200,000 for recovery housing and requested a response before that date. The board did not provide an immediate answer.

Discussion Items

  • Assessor Cyclical Reassessment Contract (Item 8.35): Assessor LaTonya Spearman renegotiated the contract terms, saving the county $600,000 compared to the original bid. She requested the return of the original bid bond and submission of a new bond based on the revised contract value. The board approved the contract.
  • Sheriff Portable Radios (Item 8.102): A commissioner inquired whether the purchase of 75 Motorola APX portable radios ($130,837.50) had been competitively bid. Staff confirmed three quotes were received. The item was approved.
  • Baker Tilly Managed Services Agreement (Item 8.133): When asked, staff clarified that the $702,000 contract covers the new software system. Approved.
  • Health Officer Renewal (Item 16.6): A commissioner asked if this was a contract approval; staff confirmed the Board of Health recommended it. Approved.
  • Bid Openings and Awards:
    • 3.1 Gasoline for Sheriff: Two bids received; awarded to lowest bidder Petroleum Traders Corporation at $2.2606/gallon for 325,000 gallons.
    • 3.2 Facade Improvements: Four bids received (lowest $292,720); taken under advisement.
    • 3.3 Roof Deck Replacement Phase I: Four bids received (lowest $198,800); taken under advisement.
    • 3.4 Furniture for Superior Court Room 1: Three bids received; awarded to lowest bidder Upright Interiors ($55,549.32), pending review.

Key Outcomes

  • All motions passed 3-0.
  • The board approved dozens of contracts, agreements, and routine items for 2026, including significant savings on the cyclical reassessment contract ($600,000) and continued support for public health, safety, and infrastructure.
  • The sheriff’s department will proceed with radio replacements and vehicle/equipment purchases.
  • The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with an agenda deadline of January 7, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

So we're doing public. Good morning, everyone. How are you? Sorry, I didn't need to take more. Pledge the agents remain standing for a moment asylum. And two three public for which is stands one hundred indivisible with liberty and justice for you. All right. Um I would say rather than read all of the additions and deletions, maybe we can just uh accept agenda as amended or make a motion to accept the agenda as amended. Yes. Is there a motion to accept the agenda as amended? So move, Mr. Chairman. Second. Let the record show the motion carries three-o. See, we're saving time already. Section three, Commissioners, public opening of vendor responses or request for bids and quotes. Uh there's uh four of them. Uh request permission to open bids publicly. Move to open all bids and quotes. Second. Wait, but this is not to open, is it? Uh oh, yeah, it is. I'm sorry. You got my bad. Second. Uh let the record show the motion carries uh three oh. Uh section five, approved specification for bids. Uh 5.1 commissioners approved plans and specifications to publicly bid uh the building B second floor toilet upgrades, bids are due by January the 21st, 2026, no later than 930 a.m. in the office of the lake county auditor. 5.2 approved plans and specifications to publicly quote the ADA site improvement projects of the Lake County Government Center Complex. Bids are due January 21st, 2026, no later than 930 a.m. And lastly, 5.3 approved plans and specifications for publicly bid uh the jail laundry electrical service upgrades, bids are due by January 21st, 2026. By no rate at 930 a.m. in the lake county auditor's office. Mr. President Commissioner Representation? Yes, sir. Can we look at 8.54? 8.54, maybe an additional addition. We have bridge road. We need that to be bid as well. Okay. You want to add that one? So uh advertised community crossing match grant 2026 for rehab uh bridge road Colfax to Whitcomb. Then I will amend my motion to approve specifications for these origin items 5.1 5.25.3 and 8.54. Second. Thank you. Let the record show the motion carries.4 on behalf of uh the reporter's office. I believe those can take be taken in omnibus form unless the board has any objection or comments one through eight point four and all Mr. Chairman unless there's an objection, then I will move for approval for titles eight point one through eight point four.

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