Lake County Board of Commissioners Meeting – October 26, 2026

The Lake County Board of Commissioners met at the Commissioners' Courtroom in Crown Point, Indiana, to act on an amended agenda covering routine approvals, 2027 contract specifications and extensions, public bid openings, county-owned property disposal, Council ordinances, and staff reports. All votes were 3-0 unless otherwise noted. Note: the printed agenda lists the meeting as Wednesday, October 21, 2026, but the provided meeting timestamp is 2026-10-26 15:45:00+00:00; this summary uses the provided date.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda as amended by additions 2.1–2.4, including the Calumet Step Construction Project 1 Package C substantial completion certificate; the United Consulting design-engineering agreement for replacement of Bridge 22 (Mississippi Street over Vanatta Ditch); the seventh lease amendment with Tigers Group, LLC at $1,968.00 per month from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2030 for the Ross Township Assessor's Office; and the Ice Miller lobbying engagement for $72,000.00, described as a housekeeping matter because that agreement was terminated.
• Approved minutes from the August 19, 2026 and September 16, 2026 regular meetings.
• Approved 2027 specifications and vendor selections, including highway aggregates, fuel, culverts, timber, traffic signs and accessories, signal monitoring, street lighting, tires, sheriff gasoline and oil bids, and IBM-compatible personal computers.
• Approved contract actions 8.1–8.94 in omnibus votes. Notable items included LCEC radio licensing renewals; multiple highway utility, road-cut, and bridge change orders; a $750,000.00 debris-monitoring services agreement under exigent circumstances; a $70,000.00 Baker Tilly engagement for payroll costing and general ledger reconciliation; fairgrounds heating, roof, and painting contracts; Otis Elevator door-protection installations; Health Department termination of Alexandra Smar's contract retroactive to October 5, 2026 and a new $65,000.00 annual contract for Rita Gillis as Youth Program Coordinator; and a $25,000.00 amendment to Public Defender attorney Amishi Sanghvi's contract.
• Approved the county-owned property disposal (9.1), Calumet Township poor relief decisions (10.1), 2027 regular meeting and executive session dates (10.2), the Calumet Step substantial completion resolution (10.3), Council ordinances 11.1–11.15 (including 2027 tax levy, appropriation, salary, longevity, clothing allowance, per diem, and binding recommendation ordinances), State Board of Accounts voucher registers (12.1–12.3), staff reports from Weights and Measures and the Treasurer (15.1–15.2), and made Sheriff's Department agreements 16.1–16.3 matters of public record.

Discussion Items

• During consideration of Sheriff's Department renewals (8.30–8.44), a commissioner asked whether all of the agreements were one-year renewals or extensions. The county attorney said the standard contract includes language for 30-day or 60-day notice/termination and acknowledged the upcoming administration change.
• A commissioner asked the purpose of the Rita Gillis contract; the Health Department responded that it was for the Youth Program Coordinator position.
• A commissioner asked whether the Public Defender contract amendment was for an ongoing case; the response was that Attorney Amishi Sanghvi had taken on additional trial court case responsibilities beyond probation revocation matters.

Bid Openings and Actions

• 3.1 Fairgrounds Drainage Improvements: four bids were read: Dyer Construction $627,532.53; Grimmer Construction $638,637.00; Gariup Construction $847,500.00; and Goff Incorporated $706,863.56. The board voted to take the item under advisement.
• 3.2 Stony Run Estates Phase 2 Storm Sewer Rehabilitation: two bids were read: Gariup Construction $298,840.00 and Austgen Equipment $400,965.00. The board approved the recommendation.
• 3.3 2027 Lobbying Services: one proposal was received from Dant Advocacy at $6,500.00 per month plus reimbursements. The board took it under advisement.
• 3.4–3.6 Culvert replacements on 145th Avenue, 85th Avenue, and 137th Avenue: multiple bids were read, with Dyer Construction submitting the lowest apparent bids. The board approved recommendations for these items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rick Anderson, representing RJ Anderson Construction, requested the immediate temporary suspension of demolition and construction at the Hobart Township Assessor's Office while the county addresses a pending protest and request for reconsideration. He stated RJ Anderson submitted the low bid of $334,850.00 on July 15, 2026, received a contract dated August 19, 2026, and was later disqualified for not being an approved pre-qualified Lake County responsible bidder based on an ordinance that was rescinded and repealed in 2022. He said the August 26 protest had not been answered on its merits, and an October 19, 2026 attorney acknowledgment set a 10-day response period that coincided with the start of work. Citing Indiana Code 36-1-12-4, he asked the county to identify the legal authority for the disqualification, provide minutes or memoranda, and halt work except for site safety pending an expedited written response. He stated RJ Anderson reserves all rights and remedies.

Key Outcomes

• All motions were approved by 3-0 votes.
• Bids were opened publicly; the board took some items under advisement and approved recommendations for others.
• The board received RJ Anderson Construction's protest and suspension request; no immediate ruling was announced on the record.
• The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.; the agenda deadline is Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.