Lake County Council Regular Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Lake County Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Commissioner’s Court Room in Crown Point, Indiana. Council members Christine Cid (President), Ronald Brewer, Pete Lindemulder, Ted Bilski, Randy Niemeyer, and David Hamm were present; Charlie Brown was absent. The council approved multiple resolutions, ordinances, transfers, and appropriations with unanimous votes (6-0-1). Notable actions included recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and National Voter Registration Month, marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, establishing new funds, and approving a $14.5 million appropriation from ARP interest earnings for construction projects. No public comments were heard. The meeting adjourned shortly after 11:30 AM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The minutes from the August 11, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously.
• Resolution 26-48 (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month): Approved unanimously. The resolution highlighted that over 14,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S., the five-year survival rate has improved to 85%, but only 4% of federal cancer research funds go to childhood cancer.
• Resolution 26-49 (National Voter Registration Month): Approved unanimously. Council members encouraged voter registration and noted that the 2014 midterm statewide turnout was 27.8% in a similar election.
• Resolution 26-50 (25th Anniversary of 9/11): Approved unanimously. Council members reflected on the day and thanked first responders.
• Auditor Ordinance (Employee Benefit Withholdings Fund): Passed on first and second reading after suspension of the rules.
• Juvenile Court Transfer: Approved. A transfer of $10,000 from Other Services & Charges to Garage & Motors ($4,000) and Other Supplies ($6,000).
• Sheriff – New Line Item (Furniture & Fixtures): Approved.
• Sheriff – Transfer $32,000 from Photo/Blueprinting to Furniture & Fixtures: Approved.
• Sheriff – Ordinance establishing FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Fund: Passed on first and second reading after suspension of the rules.
• Jail – Transfer $100,000 from Inmate Clothing Allowance to Professional Services: Approved.
• Animal Control – Transfer $10,649.19 from Household/Healthcare Supplies to Other Services: Approved.
• Animal Control – Appropriation $4,000 from S.N.A.P. Fund: Approved.
• Animal Control – Appropriation $22,000 from LC Animal Shelter Non-Reverting Fund: Approved.
• Fairgrounds – Appropriation $54,355 for Improvements: Approved.
• Economic Development – Resolution approving Redevelopment Commission Resolution 003A-2026: Approved. The resolution declares an economic development area and approves an amended plan.
• Hammond & Gary Courthouses – Appropriation $2,000,000 for Utilities: Approved.
• Commissioners – Appropriation Reduction ($2,000,000) from Group Insurance: Approved.
• Commissioners – New Line Item (Construction & Reconstruction) in ARP Interest Fund: Approved.
• Commissioners – Appropriation $14,500,000 for Construction & Reconstruction from ARP Interest Fund: Approved.
• Commissioners – Resolution to transfer $13,505,888.46 from ARP Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to ARP Interest Unrestricted Fund: Approved.
• Council – Transfer $80,000 from Consultant Fees to Other Services in Gambling Admission Tax Fund: Approved.
• Council – Resolution opposing NIPSCO electric rate increase: Approved.
• Council – Resolution transferring $8,597.10 from Sheriff’s Grant Fund to General Fund: Approved.
• Council – Ordinance establishing Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Assistance Grant Fund (repealing prior ordinance): Passed on first and second reading.
• Council – Ordinance repealing State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Fund: Passed on first and second reading.
• Council – Ordinance establishing Building and Construction Related Fees Fund: Passed on first and second reading.
• Council – Ordinance establishing Lake County Dormant Fund Policy: Passed on first and second reading.

Discussion Items

• Emergency Management (9304) – Transfer and Ordinance: During the study session, it was contemplated to handle this item as part of the budget process. Councilman Niemeyer made a motion to defer the transfer of $25,000 from Part-Time to other salary lines, and the accompanying ordinance to amend the salary ordinance. The council agreed to take no action on this item, deferring it to the budget cycle.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Key Outcomes

• All items except the Emergency Management transfer and ordinance were approved unanimously (6-0-1, with Charlie Brown absent). The Emergency Management items were deferred to the budget process.
• The council resolved to observe September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, National Voter Registration Month, and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
• Several new funds and policies were established: Employee Benefit Withholdings Fund, Sheriff’s JAG Grant Fund, Marine Patrol Assistance Grant Fund, Building and Construction Related Fees Fund, and a Dormant Fund Policy.
• The council authorized a $14.5 million appropriation from ARP interest earnings for construction and reconstruction, plus a corresponding fund transfer of over $13.5 million.
• The council passed a resolution opposing NIPSCO’s electric rate increase petition.