Lake County Council Regular Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Lake County Council held its regular meeting on October 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Crown Point, Indiana. The meeting covered a wide range of fiscal and policy items, including approvals of appropriations, transfers, ordinances, and resolutions. Notable actions included a resolution declaring October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a resolution supporting United Steelworkers Local 12775’s petition for NIPSCO staffing improvements, and the adoption of updated stormwater management and dormant fund ordinances. Public comment focused on utility regulation and the need for legislative reform.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the September 8, 2026 regular meeting.
• Awards/Resolutions:
  • Resolution 2656: Proclaiming October as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month – passed.
  • Resolution 2655: Proclaiming October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month – passed; read into the record.
• Surveyor – Ordinance: Approved on first and second reading the Lake County Stormwater Management Ordinance. (Votes: 6-1 absent)
• Drainage Board – Appropriation: Approved $750,000 from the Drainage Improvement Fund (1790) for Little Calumet River Construction. (Vote: 6-1)
• Coroner’s Office:
  • Appropriation of $10,000 for furniture and fixtures (Coroner Facility Fee Fund 4273).
  • Transfer of $10,000 in County General Fund from pathology supplies to other equipment.
• Calumet Township Assessor: Transfer of $22,000 in County General Fund from technicians to assessor certification, other professional services, and furniture and fixtures.
• Criminal Courts: Approved Revised 144 adjusting a probation officer salary from $59,642 to $45,548 (effective 10/19/2026).
• Superior Court IV:
  • Transfer of $3,750.29 in County General Fund (various line items).
  • Transfer of $4,500 in the Drug Court Fund.
• Superior Court County Div. Rm. 3:
  • Appropriation of $325 in the Veteran Court Fund.
  • Created new line items and approved a $1,000 transfer in the VTC All Rise Mentor Court Network Fund.
• Juvenile Court: Transfer of $1,200 in the Juvenile Mental Health Problem Solving Court Grant Fund.
• Juvenile Court/C.A.S.A.: Approved grant applications for 2027 CASA Matching Grant and Capacity-Building Grant (both renewals).
• Sheriff:
  • Created new line item and $52,000 appropriation in Sheriff’s Sale Program & Service Fund for petroleum products.
  • Created new line items and $142,177 appropriation in FY25 JAG Non-Reverting Fund.
  • Transfer of $103,000 in Public Safety CAGIT Non-Reverting Fund to petroleum products.
  • Ordinance establishing the 2027 CHIRP Grant Fund (passed first and second reading).
• Jail: Created new line item and $370,000 transfer in Misdemeanant Co. Jail Housing Fund for food and lodging.
• Criminal Div. Public Defender: Appropriation of $60,000 in Supplemental Public Defender Fund.
• Commissioners/Lake County 911: Transfer of $415,000 in E911 Operating Fund for overtime, telephone, and utilities.
• County Council – Resolutions:
  • Resolution 1: Transfer $78,205.18 from Local Roads & Bridges Matching to CEDIT Fund – passed.
  • Resolution 2: Amend resolution 21-33 on dormant funds – passed.
• County Council – Ordinances: All passed on first and second reading:
  • Amending Ordinance 1459B (dormant funds).
  • Amending Ordinance 1459C (dormant funds).
  • New ordinance declaring a fund dormant.
• County Council – Consulting Contracts: Approved contracts with Law Office of Thomas O’Donnell and Law Office of Ray L. Szarmach, P.C.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Common Council Member Dan Washington (identified by context) spoke at length about NIPSCO and state utility regulation. He argued that Indiana Code 8-1-39 and related laws have allowed utilities to avoid investing in workforce and infrastructure, resulting in poor storm response and rising rates. He urged local governments to pressure state legislators to repeal or amend those codes, and called for passage of the supportive resolution for NIPSCO staffing. He also mentioned Senate Bill 1 and potential local income tax implications. Council members responded, noting that changes to Title VIII of the Indiana Code could create franchise agreements for electric utilities similar to water utilities.

Discussion Items

• NIPSCO Staffing Resolution (Resolution 3): Ryan Baker, President of USW Local 12775, and Vice President Pierce Kelly presented the resolution. Baker stated that linemen numbers have dropped from 230 to 180, a 20% reduction, and that attrition has not been backfilled. He emphasized that out-of-state contractors should supplement, not replace, local workers. Council members asked about the reasons for the decline and about company practices regarding shareholder dividends. Councilman Brewer expressed support and noted previous conversations with union members. After discussion, the resolution passed 6-1 absent.
• Attorney Contract Remarks: Councilman Brewer publicly recognized Linda Garcia and Shauna Levinson for their integrity in acknowledging a reduced workload and declining to take unnecessary payments.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved with votes ranging from unanimous to 6-1 (one absent).
• The NIPSCO staffing resolution passed, directing support for a petition to investigate staffing levels at the utility.
• The Lake County Stormwater Management Ordinance and three dormant fund ordinances were adopted on second reading.
• Public comment highlighted ongoing concerns about utility regulation and the need for legislative action at the state level.