Lake County Board of Commissioners Meeting – May 20, 2026

The Lake County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Courtroom. The agenda was amended to add three items (2.1–2.3), minutes from April 15 and April 23 were approved, and a large consent calendar of contracts and routine approvals was passed. Public comment was dominated by correctional officers and their union representatives detailing critical staffing shortages, safety hazards, and the county's failure to bargain in good faith. Commissioners acknowledged the concerns, recounted past efforts to improve jail conditions that were obstructed, and committed to investigating legal authority regarding collective bargaining.

Consent Calendar

• 8.1 Adobe Acrobat Pro renewal ($905.58).
• 8.2–8.14 Highway department contracts and agreements, including property transfers, engineering services, utility agreements, traffic control measures, and drug testing services.
• 8.15 Agreement with property owners for reimbursement of $51,285 plus $5,000 fine, secured by a lien (20-year term).
• 8.16 Deferred to June meeting at the request of a commissioner.
• 8.17 MOU with City of Gary for RAVE mobile safety.
• 8.18–8.24 Sheriff's department items: Flock license plate reader renewal ($30,000), 100 new radios for correctional officers ($175,450), architectural services for firing range renovation ($151,500), Comcast invoice ($13,329.80), Pen-Link software renewal ($13,831.48), Lexipol policy system ($21,077.10), and Unifirst uniform/mat service contract ($1,813.24/year).
• 8.25–8.27 Health department contracts: Lamar advertising ($2,950), Trans Audio services ($895), Youth Program Coordinator ($65,000 annually).
• 8.28–8.34 Commissioners' items: Berglund Construction masonry maintenance (amount not to exceed $500,000), change orders for stair and facade projects, Arctic Engineering freezer repair ($21,300), Johnson Controls sprinkler repairs ($5,821.33), Development Agreement with City of Gary for Convention Center, and Ace Exterminating service ($1,680 annually).
• 9.1 Property disposal approved.
• 10.1–10.5 Title VI Plan, Uniform Township Assistance Appeal Procedures, Calumet/North Township appeal decisions, and Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan resolution – all approved.
• 10.6 Selected USI as consultant for Bridge Structure WC 924 engineering services.
• 11.1–11.2 Council ordinances 1459B-9 and 1459C-17 approved.
• 12.1–12.5 Accounts payable and payroll registers approved.
• 13.1–13.3 Insurance certificates and public official bond approved.
• 15.1 Treasurer's monthly report approved.
• 16.1–16.4 Notices, pharmacy service extension, Lexipol corrections policy renewal ($44,999.99), and Highway 2025 Annual Report accepted as matters of public record.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Naomi Frisch, attorney for Lake County Correctional Officers Union Local 11: Stated that the County has failed to bargain in good faith since December 2, 2025, in violation of Lake County Ordinance §32.029. She reported the jail is understaffed by approximately 70 officers, with officers regularly working 12-hour shifts plus an additional 4-hour holdover and required days off. Average overtime is at least 40 hours every 28 days, “over 200 hours a month.” She described assaults, stabbings, lockdowns, and the absence of a permanent warden for seven months. Demanded that commissioners send representatives with authority to bargain and stop unfair labor practices.
• Christopher Rock, correctional officer and union vice president: Detailed severe understaffing: maximum shift staffing is 23 officers, minimum 17, while 25 are needed for minimum safe operations. He stated officers are routinely required to work 16-hour shifts, and the jail is overcrowded, with 32-bed sections housing 40–42 inmates. Mentioned a recent incident where an inmate attempted to stab an officer with a broken broomstick, and that a shakedown discovered a metal weapon that could have been used fatally. He emphasized that officers are burnt out and that safety is compromised daily.
• Chris A. Keith, FOP president (police side): Noted that his union has also been unable to begin contract negotiations. He referenced the death of an officer who was killed by a drunk driver while coming to work early, a routine practice. Urged commissioners to come to the bargaining table promptly.
• David Crane, public: Asked commissioners to negotiate a fair contract with corrections officers to improve manning and avoid federal intervention. Stated that public safety infrastructure (corrections, police, E911) is broken under the commissioners' watch.

Discussion Items

• Commissioner Tippy and another commissioner responded to the public comments. They acknowledged the officers' concerns and recounted past efforts by the Board to improve jail conditions, including a Department of Justice settlement that led to hiring an outside consultant, but the sheriff refused to allow the consultant in and later sued the Board. The state legislature subsequently shifted contracting authority to the sheriff. Commissioners committed to having attorneys research the current ordinances and state law to determine the Board's authority over collective bargaining and jail conditions.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items approved except 8.16 (deferred).
• Bids for electrical infrastructure, animal control reroofing, and roof deck replacement were opened and taken under advisement.
• Public comments were heard; commissioners promised to investigate legal authority and bargaining responsibilities.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with agenda deadline June 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.