Lake County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – June 17, 2026
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Lake County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – June 17, 2026
The Lake County Board of Commissioners met on June 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Courtroom in Crown Point. All three commissioners were present. The agenda was amended to add an upgrade renewal contract with AT&T (Item 8.30), an ordinance on dormant funds (Item 11.1), and an interlocal agreement with Gary Public Transportation (Item 8.31), and to delete Item 5.2 (Highway bid advertisement). Item 8.24 was also amended after Powers & Sons withdrew its bid; the award was redirected to Gariup Construction. Most items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approved: Regular meeting minutes of May 20, 2026 (Item 4.1).
- Bid Specifications Approved: Items 5.1 (Fairgrounds 4H Roof Replacement), 6.1–6.8 (addenda for various projects), 7.1–7.4 (quoting for Hobart Township Assessor’s Office, Purdue Extension shelter, Westwind Building access control, and Jail Video Upgrades Phase I) – all with bid due by July 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
- Contracts & Awards (Items 8.1–8.30, except 8.3): Approved unanimously, including contracts with PEAK Technologies (pressure sealers, $3,299.69 each), surveyor consulting (DVG Team, hourly not to exceed $35,328), multiple highway utility and construction agreements, Calumet Township Assessor lawncare ($50 bi-weekly), CASA record storage ($422.52/month), LCEC renewals (Canva $699.95, Adobe $1,503.30, Motorola RAVE $121,125 over 5 years, 40 Samsung TVs), Change Order #3 for investigative demo ($1,135.93), Pangere Corporation for Juvenile EIFS ($124,011), Midwestern Electric for electrical upgrades ($1,778,195), Gluth Brothers for Animal Control reroofing ($210,342), Sheriff’s Lexipol renewal ($17,966.55), CSI office repair ($29,580), Hammond Courthouse landscaping ($4,050), AT&T switched ethernet renewal (pricing attached), and an interlocal with Gary Public Transportation ($300,000). Also approved Change Order #5 for Calumet Township Septic Tank Elimination ($307,011 increase, new total $47,872,078.64) and final Change Order for Bridge 363 ($33,481.74 increase, new total $2,864,702.29).
- Property Disposals (Items 9.1–9.2): Prosecutor and Calumet Township Assessor requests approved.
- Commissioner Items (10.1–10.2): Reappointment of Sean Connelly to the Lake County Public Library Board; County Disaster Declaration – both approved.
- Ordinance (Item 11.1): Ordinance 1459C-18 amending ordinance on dormant funds – approved.
- State Board of Accounts (Items 12.1–12.4): Payroll vouchers and hand cuts – approved.
- Bonds/Insurance (Items 13.1–13.2): Certificate of insurance updates and subdivision performance bond – approved.
- Staff Reports (Items 15.1–15.2): Weights & Measures monthly reports – placed on file.
- Other Matters (Items 16.1–16.6): 2026 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan adoption, Sheriff’s jail consultant contract (Michael Zenk, not to exceed $25,000), retired officer weapon request, Taser 10 purchase (25 units over 31 months, total $118,810), certificate of insurance, and election day worker pay/rental – all approved.
Discussion Items
- Fountain for Lake Francher (Item 8.3): The Fairgrounds requested permission to purchase a new fountain. Commissioners noted lack of detail and deferred the item to the July 15, 2026 meeting. They indicated the Fairgrounds could obtain pricing in the interim. The motion to defer passed 3-0.
- Amendment to Item 8.24 (Roof Deck Replacement Phase II): After Powers & Sons withdrew its bid, Commissioner recommendation was to award the contract to Gariup Construction in the amount of $1,567,500. The board approved the amended award as part of the omnibus vote on Items 8.21–8.26.
Public Comments
- Jackie Sloan (Crown Point resident): Expressed concerns about the Lake County Public Health Department’s monthly reporting obligations under state statute. She stated that minutes posted on the website show no evidence of monthly reporting by the health officer. She urged the board to evaluate the health officer’s performance and consider a more competent appointee when the joint health board is reallocated at year’s end. She also voiced support for data centers and nuclear energy but stressed the need for proper research by the health department to advise the board on water, electricity, and community acceptance. She asked that the board task the health department with this research to avoid being unprepared for public questions.
Key Outcomes
- All items except Item 8.3 were approved unanimously (3-0) where votes were recorded.
- Item 8.3 (Fountain purchase) was deferred to the July 15, 2026 meeting; staff was directed to gather pricing.
- Item 8.24 was amended to award the Roof Deck Replacement Phase II contract to Gariup Construction ($1,567,500) after Powers & Sons withdrew.
- Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Deadline for agenda submission: Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Statement. When you said you're not going to do it also the fact that everybody benefits. So where does where does the statue draw on the line like benefit? I don't know. In my in my inbox. There's some from other communities. I know, but second. Probably not. Oh, it's me. Who's calling this meeting George? Uh you call me George, please stand for the budget. Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice. Sorry. Thank you. All three commissioners are here. And uh we have some additions and delicious. We do. Uh thank you, Commissioner. Uh item 2.1 is an addition for the data department and upgrade renewal contract with ATT for switched uh Ethernet uh for the county price schedule attached. 2.2 ordinance uh 1459 C 18, amending ordinance 1459 C. Uh one deletion 2.3 uh on behalf of the highway, uh, which was request for permission to advertise for Clark Street, and then there is one uh additional addition, item 2.4 uh an interlocal between the board of commissioners and Gary Public Transportation, uh, which will be item 8.31 on the agenda. Request approval of the agenda as amended. Chairman, yes. Oh and I yeah, I apologize. Uh and item uh eight point two four. Uh Powers and Sons has withdrawn their uh bid uh as relates to this uh particular project, uh and there's a letter of recommendation from Tom Coon uh to award uh that project to Gary up construction in the amount of one million five hundred sixty-seven thousand five hundred dollars. That should also be amended item eight point two four. Mr. Chairman, then I would move to amend the agenda as rated to the record by the county attorney. Second. That's right. So the motion carries the agenda is adopted. Um three public we have no nothing to open. Go ahead. Uh item 4.1 approval of regular meeting minutes from the May 20, 2026 meeting. It's the chairman. I'm going to approve the May 20th, 2026 meeting minutes. Second. Item 5.1. Uh uh correction. Commissioners approved plans and specification advertised for the lake county fairgrounds for each roof replacement project. Bids are due no later than 9 30 a.m. on july 15, 2026 in the office of the lake county auditor. Chairman, and I would move for approval for agenda items uh 5.1. Second. Item 5.2 was deleted. Uh section six, unless there's an objection, I believe uh 6.1 through 6.8 can be taken in omnibus form. Sir, unless there is any objection per the county attorney's request, then I would move for approval for agenda items 6.1 through 6.8.
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