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Record of Proceedings

Lake County Council Regular Meeting - August 11, 2026

County Boards & Commissions — Tuesday, August 11, 2026
BodyLake County, Indiana
SessionCounty Boards & Commissions
DateTuesday, August 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 54:24

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:30

I can hear you now.

0:32

Okay, I can hear you too.

0:34

I'm gonna see if it wants on the campus.

0:50

Okay, go ahead.

1:16

That whole thing with those building fees is creating a mess.

1:23

And what it was was the uh the lobbyists for the contractors.

1:29

And there's plenty of interested parties that serve in the state legislature.

1:34

Rep Doug Miller being one of them from El Cart.

1:38

He sells prefab homes.

1:41

He's always trying to revamp all these laws to make it easier for you.

1:45

Okay, without like a and I've I've said that to his face.

1:50

We've had uh a couple issues.

1:53

Not a fan of legislating for self-interest.

1:56

So is uh is the legislation basically saying like you got approved what your costs are?

2:02

All has to be cost driven.

2:05

Now you can't just make uh like uh really what your permit's gonna be what we did like and seriously.

2:11

We would have modernization if that's right.

2:14

But uh this is a complex mathematical way.

2:19

Thank you for your patience.

2:24

All right, how's everybody doing?

2:26

Are you we're doing great over you?

2:35

Okay, who's on the commissioners?

2:42

When we get ready to add that to the agenda, I will the transfer.

2:45

I think that uh yes, if you wouldn't mind oh, you have it.

2:49

I got a copy.

2:51

You want to if we got a call order and everything first or yes.

2:56

Um called to order, please rise for a moment of reflection, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

3:20

For which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

3:37

Second district, Ron Brewer.

3:39

Here, third district, Charlie Brown.

3:43

Fourth district, Pete Lindamotor.

3:45

Present.

3:45

Fifth district, Christine C it?

3:47

Yes, six district tense seven district nine unit.

3:51

Present.

4:05

Okay.

4:11

Okay, you can go ahead, Ted, while he's working on that.

4:14

Should I make a motion to approve the minutes?

4:16

Second.

4:18

Motion's been made and seconded.

4:20

Discussion.

4:21

All in favor signify by aye.

4:23

Aye, opposed, motion passes.

4:25

Madam Chairman, I make a motion to add the board of county commissioners, department six zero zero two, fund number ten zero zero one to the agenda.

4:34

This is um line item six one three four zero group insurance, three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and it'd be a transfer to postage.

4:42

Uh six three two two zero, uh, but same amount, three hundred and fifty thousand.

4:48

Second.

4:49

Motion has been made and seconded.

4:50

Discussion.

4:52

All in favor sitting by aye.

4:59

Okay.

5:00

This is um line item 61340 group insurance 350,000 and it'd be a transfer to postage uh 63220 uh the same amount 350,000 second motion has been made and seconded discussion all in favor sending by aye opposed motion passes okay awards and resolutions yes council is anyone here from um monster high school speech and debate team okay all right well madam president I make a motion to approve resolution 26-45 second motion has been made and seconded discussion you want to read it into the record or yes um this is a resolution um honor Mary Kramer of uh Monster High School speech and debate team 2026 ISSDS state champion in dramatic interpretation, whereas the students and scholars of from Lake County, Indiana has consistently in all academic matters throughout the state and nation, and whereas the lake county has generously set forth its spirit youth to compete in academic contests in the state, the national and the world, and whereas the Lake County is justly proud of his sons and daughters who have willingly taken upon themselves the hardship and discipline, both physical, mental, with successfully participating in academic contests, contests, then demands and whereas Mary Kramer, a freshman and a member of the Monster High School speech and debate team, captured the ISSDA state championship and dramatic interpretations on March 14th, 2026, and Penn High School in Misshawalker, Indiana, becoming Monster High School first freshman state champion and dramatic interpretation now for let now therefore let it be resolved that the Lake County Council and all of the council extend congratulations and praise to Mary Kramer of the Monster High School speech and debate team for winning the 2026 ISSDA state championship and dramatic interpretation that a copy of this resolution be sprayed on the official record of the Lake County Council and the official copy be delivered to Mary Kramer.

7:09

Duly adopted by the Lake County Council this 11th day of August 26th.

7:16

Councilwoman Christine Seed, Councilman David Hamm, Councilman Randy Nearmeyer, Councilman Pete Lendamoto, Councilman Charlie Brown, myself, Councilman Brewer, Councilman Ted Bielski, all members of the Lake County Council.

7:28

Congratulations.

7:30

All in favor?

7:32

Aye, aye.

7:33

Aye.

7:33

Opposed.

7:34

Motion passes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████58%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████13%
Public Safety███████9%
Youth Programs█████6%
Fiscal Sustainability█████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██3%
Transportation Safety██3%
Pending Litigation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Lake County Council Regular Meeting - August 11, 2026

The Lake County Council held its regular meeting at 10:00 AM on August 11, 2026, in the Commissioner's Court Room/Council Chambers, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN. The council approved routine financial actions, honored two Munster High School debate champions, conducted the annual non-binding tax levy review, amended dormant-fund ordinances, and appointed a member to the Veterans Affairs Study Commission. Several roll-call votes were recorded with one or two members absent.

Opening and Minutes

  • The meeting opened with a moment of reflection and the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Minutes from the July 14, 2026 regular meeting were approved by voice vote.

Awards and Resolutions

  • Resolution 26-45 honored Mary Kramer of Munster High School's Speech and Debate Team, 2026 ISSDA State Champion in Dramatic Interpretation. Kramer spoke, thanking her coach, parents, and team. Approved.
  • A second resolution honored Raghu Subramanian, 2026 ISSDA State Champion in Original Oratory and Declamation. Subramanian was not present; the Munster coach accepted and spoke. Approved.

Routine Fiscal Actions and Transfers

  • Surveyor: $63,700 appropriation from the Surveyor's Corner Perpetuation Fund for other professional services. Passed 5-0 with two absent.
  • Juvenile Court: Revised 144 in LC Community Corrections Grant Fund 9391, adding $4,103.40 in supplemental pay. Passed 5-0 with two absent.
  • Juvenile Detention Center: Revised 144 in County General Fund, reducing Probation Officer line item from $74,293 to $42,311 (decrease of $31,982). Passed.
  • Cooperative Extension Service: $220 transfer from equipment rentals to longevity. Approved.
  • General Undistributed Motor Expense: $31,000 transfer from equipment rentals ($25,000), motor vehicles ($4,000), and other equipment ($2,000) to other supplies. Passed 5-2 absent.
  • Local Roads & Streets: Created new line items for utilities and building/structures; approved $200,000 transfer from equipment lease to utilities ($100,000) and building/structures ($100,000). Creation passed 6-0 with one absent; transfer passed.
  • Sheriff: $17,000 transfer from other equipment to building/structures in non-reverting federal forfeiture fund. Approved.
  • Sheriff grant applications: Two new grant applications approved for DHS FY26 State Homeland Security Grant Program (Enduring Needs and National Priority).
  • Jail: Created new line item in 2026 SAFE LC Sheriff Narcan and Essentials Bag Grant Fund and appropriated $2,145.05 for other supplies. Both passed 6-0 with one absent.
  • Prosecutor: Appropriated $50,000 in Non-Reverting R.I.C.O. Seizure Fund for maintenance and service contracts. After it was discovered the line item did not exist, the council added and approved creation of line item 63630. Approved.
  • Prosecutor: Appropriated $8,690.84 ($6,990.84 supplies, $1,700 printing) from Careful Carter Gun Safety Literacy Grant Fund. Passed 5-0 with two absent.
  • Parks & Recreation: $770,000 appropriation for petroleum products, repair parts/supplies, legal services, insurance, utilities, and equipment. Passed 5-0 with two absent.
  • Emergency Management: New grant application approved for FEMA/Indiana DHS 2026 State Homeland Security Program Grant.
  • Commissioners/Lake County 911: $272.14 appropriation from Public Safety CAGIT Non-Reverting Fund for construction/reconstruction. Passed 5-0 with two absent.
  • Lake County Commissioners: The council added and approved an item transferring $350,000 from line item 61340 group insurance to 63220 postage. Note: The agenda lists this as an appropriation, but the council approved it as a transfer. Passed 5-0 with two absent.
  • Lake County Commissioners: Revised 144 in County General Fund replacing Information Systems Technical Lead ($120,000) with Director Information Systems ($150,000), and Grounds Manager ($60,533) with Building Technician ($40,000), a net increase of $9,467. Passed 5-0 with two absent.
  • Lake County Commissioners: $69,323.96 appropriation from County Bond Redemption Fund for court judgment. Passed 5-0 with two absent.

Planning Commission Ordinance

  • Ordinance No. 2608 (Charles E. Peterson, Michael W. Peterson, Mark R. Peterson) rezoning A-1 to R-1, recommended favorably 5-0 by the Planning Commission, was approved on roll call.

County Council Non-Binding Review and Dormant Fund Actions

  • The council conducted the statutorily required August review under I.C. 6-1.1-17-3.6 of estimated maximum levy limits and estimated circuit breaker credits for 2027. Members confirmed review of Exhibit A; no taxing units or public comments were offered. The non-binding review was approved; the auditor was directed to distribute the approved minutes to all taxing units.
  • Resolution amending Resolution No. 21-33 (dormant funds and transfer of remaining cash balances) was approved 6-0 with one absent.
  • Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1459C (dormant funds) was approved on first reading, rules suspended, and approved on second reading 6-0 with one absent.
  • Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1459B (dormant/inactive funds not created by ordinance) was approved on first reading, rules suspended, and approved on second reading 6-0 with one absent.

Appointment

  • Hoy Bryson was nominated and appointed to the Lake County Study Commission on Veterans Affairs for a one-year term. He had been recommended by Jason Goate, the county veterans service officer.

Discussion Items

  • During Local Roads & Streets consideration, Councilman Niemeyer raised a constituent email about Copper Creek subdivision: the hill on 133rd Avenue blocks sight lines at Copper Creek Drive, drivers travel at high speed, and a marked crosswalk makes pedestrians hard to see. He requested a stop sign and said Mr. Alberson would conduct necessary traffic studies.

Public Comments

  • John Allen of Gary addressed the council. He argued that Gary has over 6,000 parcels off the tax base and Gary School Corporation has 101 parcels, estimating that liquidating two-thirds of city parcels and one-third of school parcels would add $146 million in assessed value. He noted Hammond has 2.9 times Gary's assessed value despite Gary being twice the size, and cited Senate Bill 1 as a reason to supplement the tax base. He praised the county for liquidating 8,000 parcels in less than 10 days through tax sales. He also compared per-student spending: roughly $14,500 in Munster and $16,000 in Hobart versus about $31,000 in Gary. He urged the council to consider the U.S. Supreme Court's Tyler v. Hennepin County decision (598 U.S. 631) and to proactively return surplus from tax forfeiture sales dating back to 2023 to avoid potential litigation.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved all listed appropriations, transfers, revised 144s, line-item creations, and grant applications.
  • Honored two Munster High School state champions.
  • Approved Ordinance No. 2608 (A-1 to R-1 rezoning).
  • Completed the non-binding 2027 tax levy/circuit breaker review.
  • Amended dormant-fund resolution and ordinances.
  • Appointed Hoy Bryson to the Veterans Affairs Study Commission.
  • Referred a citizen concern about a potential safety issue at Copper Creek Drive and 133rd Avenue for a traffic study.

Meeting Transcript

I can hear you now. Okay, I can hear you too. I'm gonna see if it wants on the campus. Okay, go ahead. That whole thing with those building fees is creating a mess. And what it was was the uh the lobbyists for the contractors. And there's plenty of interested parties that serve in the state legislature. Rep Doug Miller being one of them from El Cart. He sells prefab homes. He's always trying to revamp all these laws to make it easier for you. Okay, without like a and I've I've said that to his face. We've had uh a couple issues. Not a fan of legislating for self-interest. So is uh is the legislation basically saying like you got approved what your costs are? All has to be cost driven. Now you can't just make uh like uh really what your permit's gonna be what we did like and seriously. We would have modernization if that's right. But uh this is a complex mathematical way. Thank you for your patience. All right, how's everybody doing? Are you we're doing great over you? Okay, who's on the commissioners? When we get ready to add that to the agenda, I will the transfer. I think that uh yes, if you wouldn't mind oh, you have it. I got a copy. You want to if we got a call order and everything first or yes. Um called to order, please rise for a moment of reflection, followed by the pledge of allegiance. For which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Second district, Ron Brewer. Here, third district, Charlie Brown. Fourth district, Pete Lindamotor. Present. Fifth district, Christine C it? Yes, six district tense seven district nine unit. Present. Okay. Okay, you can go ahead, Ted, while he's working on that. Should I make a motion to approve the minutes? Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Discussion. All in favor signify by aye. Aye, opposed, motion passes. Madam Chairman, I make a motion to add the board of county commissioners, department six zero zero two, fund number ten zero zero one to the agenda. This is um line item six one three four zero group insurance, three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and it'd be a transfer to postage. Uh six three two two zero, uh, but same amount, three hundred and fifty thousand. Second. Motion has been made and seconded. Discussion. All in favor sitting by aye.

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