Lake County Council Regular Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Lake County Council held its regular meeting on March 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Crown Point, Indiana. The council approved numerous routine items, passed two zoning ordinance amendments for decommissioning of battery storage and data centers, and heard extensive public testimony on utility issues, weather warning systems, and a proposed data center development. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of January 29 (Special) and February 10 (Regular) approved.
• Resolution 26-18 recognizing March as National Women’s History Month.
• Resolution 26-19 honoring Crown Point High School’s Ava Strayer (Indiana Girls Wrestling State Champion, second title, 33-0 record).
• Superior Court IV transfer of $4,320 between line items.
• Juvenile Court revised 144 reducing probation officer salary by $8,358.
• Juvenile Court grant application: Indiana Supreme Court Family Recovery Court FY27 renewal.
• Juvenile Detention Center grant application: Office of Court Services HOPE Court FY27 renewal.
• Juvenile Court/CASA new line item and $5,000 appropriation for capacity building.
• Local Roads & Streets: $402,000 appropriation for equipment lease (dump trucks) and $214,615.07 transfer to CEDIT fund.
• Sheriff: $33,000 appropriation from Sheriff’s Grant Fund.
• Community Corrections: resolution to pay 2025 invoices from 2026 budget and 2027 IDOC grant renewal.
• Health Department: Ordinance establishing Opioid Settlement ENGAGE360 grant fund (passed 1st and 2nd readings).
• Economic Development: Grant applications for FY2026 CDBG and HOME programs and resolution authorizing $2.2 million HUD agreement.
• County Council: resolution to pay outstanding 2025 invoice.
• Appointments: Veterans Memorial Parkway Commission (14 members, 2-year terms), Unsafe Building Authority (Scott Cooper reappointed), Data Board nominee (Commissioner Michael C. Repay).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denise Conerly-Jefford (Interim GM, Gary Public Transit Corp.): Reported ridership doubling, need for expanded hours and Sunday service, challenges with electric buses and fleet age. Urged local investment in transit as a capital priority, not a donation. Provided budget documentation showing $42 million in federal funds and requested the council’s commitment to a local match.
• Dr. Michaela Svenberg (Geary Education Coalition): Highlighted lack of working weather sirens in some communities and called for a countywide study. Also raised issues with NIPSCO rate increases, estimated billing, smart meter reliability, and electricity pricing; encouraged residents to file complaints with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
• Tom Lincoln (Eagle Creek Township): Opposed the proposed data center cluster on agricultural land, describing it as heavy industrial. Called for independent third-party tier two studies on financial, safety, and environmental impacts within a 10-mile radius, and ironclad liability guarantees for landowners. Requested that the council treat the entire I-65 corridor development as one entity.
• Terry Steagle (Highland): Urged a moratorium on data centers and comprehensive countywide planning. Proposed that data centers provide tangible community benefits, such as rooftop solar for residents to offset electricity costs. Emphasized protection of green space, pollinator corridors, and migratory routes.

Discussion Items

• NIPSCO Smart Meters and Delivery Charges: Councilman Brewer reported from a NIPSCO forum that delivery charges nearly equal usage costs and that residents were not informed they could opt out of smart meters. He raised safety concerns about remote shut-off and turn-on. Council President Seed noted a previous council resolution on delivery charges and said NIPSCO declined a north county forum.
• Planning Commission Ordinances (BESS and Data Centers): Council passed Ordinance 2597 (Battery Energy Storage Systems – Abandonment, Decommissioning, Disposal) and Ordinance 2598 (Data Centers – Decommissioning Plan) on first and second readings. Planning Director Ned Kovacevic explained they add decommissioning provisions to existing ordinances. Councilman Niemeyer confirmed the ordinances do not approve any specific project and announced an April 16 open house at Lowell High School for the proposed data center, with state agencies and developers invited. Public comments from Lincoln and Steagle were entered into the record.
• Parks & Recreation Appropriation: Council approved $515,000 for professional services, printing, insurance, utilities, and equipment. Councilman Niemeyer requested more strategic multi-year planning to reduce levy reliance, citing the SEA1 delay to 2029. Parks Director Jim acknowledged the need and noted a financial sustainability workshop in April.
• Weather Warning Systems: Councilman Brewer expressed concern about lack of universal siren systems and changing weather patterns. Council staff promoted a free severe weather session on March 19 at IUN and a “Behind the Ballot” event on March 15.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (7-0) with no dissents.
• Ordinance 2597 (BESS decommissioning) and Ordinance 2598 (Data Center decommissioning) adopted on second reading.
• All appropriations, transfers, grants, and resolutions approved as presented.
• Appointments confirmed as listed.
• No action taken on the data center site plan; next step is the April 16 public open house and subsequent Plan Commission hearing.