Lake County Council Regular Meeting – July 14, 2026

The Lake County Council held its regular meeting on July 14, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Crown Point, Indiana. The meeting opened with the national anthem, moment of reflection, pledge of allegiance, and roll call. All six present members (President Christine Cid, David Hamm, Randy Niemeyer, Pete Lindemulder, Charlie Brown, Ron Brewer, and Ted Bilski) conducted a series of routine appropriations, transfers, ordinance readings, and resolutions. Notable actions included honoring three state champion high school teams, passing a resolution supporting locked‑out United Steelworkers Local 7‑1 members at the BP Whiting Refinery, approving a $10 million parks bond, and making citizen appointments to county boards.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the June 9, 2026 regular meeting minutes.
• Resolutions (A‑E): Approved commemorative resolutions for the 250th anniversary of the United States; honoring Lake Central High School girls’ softball (IHSAA 4A champion), Lake Central High School boys’ baseball (IHSAA 4A champion), and Hanover Central High School girls’ softball (IHSAA 3A champion); and supporting United Steelworkers Local 7‑1 against the BP lockout.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Terry Siegel (Highland, IN): Thanked the council for the BP resolution, called the lockout “blatant union busting,” and suggested a per‑barrel tax on oil refined in Lake County to generate revenue. Council members noted the state would not permit such a tax.
• Anonymous speaker: Expressed support for the BP resolution and urged other local governments to pass similar resolutions, echoing Councilman Brewer’s call.

Discussion Items

• Surveyor (Item 5): Approved $50,000 appropriation from the MS4 Fund for other professional services (roll call 6‑1).
• Juvenile Court (Items 6‑8): Created new line items and approved appropriations for the Juvenile LC Community Corrections Grant Fund ($65,000 total), the Juvenile Behavioral Health Competitive Grant Pilot Program Fund ($92,492.50), and permitted payment of outstanding 2023 invoices from 2026 budget. Also approved CASA fund longevity and transfer items.
• Juvenile Detention Center (Item 7): Created new line items and appropriated $113,719 for part‑time, FICA, supplies, and equipment lease.
• LADOS Division 2 (Item 9): Approved a new grant application for Court Alcohol & Drug Supplemental Grant CY2026 and passed an ordinance establishing the non‑reverting fund.
• Planning Commission (Item 10): Approved Ordinance 2606 (lighting standards) and Ordinance 2607 (rezoning from R‑3 and B‑2 to B‑3 for Jabaay Ventures) on second reading, both with favorable 5‑0 recommendations.
• Weights & Measures (Item 11): Approved $49,772 appropriation for motor vehicles.
• Sheriff (Items 12‑13): Approved transfers from General and CAGIT funds to petroleum products; appropriations for firearm training ($8,000), sale program ($289,000), federal forfeiture ($245,000), DCE/SP equipment repair ($38,000), and property seizure ($290,000). Approved grant renewals for SCAAP and a new coat distribution initiative; passed ordinance for the NARCAN and Essentials Bag Grant Fund.
• Prosecutor (Item 14): Approved renewal of the Careful Carter Gun Safety Literacy Program grant.
• Public Defender (Item 15): Passed an ordinance (on second reading) reorganizing positions in the salary ordinance.
• Community Corrections (Item 16): Approved ordinance establishing the Lake County Community Corrections Trust Fund (non‑reverting).
• Parks & Recreation (Item 17): Approved on first and second reading an ordinance authorizing up to $10 million in general obligation bonds for capital improvement projects and land acquisition. Chairman noted a new state law requiring executive approval for projects ≥$500,000 and suggested a future resolution to streamline approval.
• County Commissioners (Item 18): Created line items and appropriated $170,500 for Calumet Township sewage operation; approved a mutual aid agreement with Gary Public Transportation Corporation; passed ordinance establishing an ARP interest earned fund.
• County Council (Item 19): Held a public hearing and approved an additional appropriation for Lowell Public Library. Passed resolution transferring funds between SAFE Neighborhoods grant accounts. Amended Ordinance 1459C to declare certain funds dormant.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All resolutions, appropriations, transfers, and ordinance readings passed with a 6‑1 vote (one member absent) except where noted as unanimous by voice vote.
• Citizen Appointments:
  • Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team: Re‑appointed Jacob Fadely (Probation Officer) to a two‑year term.
  • Convention & Tourism Bureau: Appointed Shelley Faber (Republican, Cedar Lake) to a three‑year term beginning July 1, 2026.
• Next Steps: Council will consider a resolution in August to approve individual park projects under the new state law threshold. The BP resolution will be forwarded to BP, USW Local 7‑1, and state/federal officials.