GUEST COMMENTARY: Accountability must apply to TQM funds, too

The Porter County Council did not shut down county Auditor Bob Wichlinski’s total quality management program as reported. A majority of councilmen are asking for accountability from the auditor for future expenditures. The minutes of the March 11 meeting reflect the same.

County government jobs desireable, tough to get

County government jobs in Northwest Indiana look attractive, if you can get one.

House panel OKs plan to strip funds from Porter Co. auditor

INDIANAPOLIS | Porter County Auditor Bob Wichlinski would lose access to nearly all the money generated by his crackdown on homestead tax credit abusers under legislation approved by a House committee Thursday.

EDITORIAL: Porter County should reinstate TQM program

In shutting down the total quality management program last week, the Porter County Council put the county back in the Dark Ages.

Porter County Council ousts its leaders

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council has a new president and vice president, after members voted 4-3 on Monday to oust their current leaders and elect new officers.

3 Porter County offices will branch out to Portage

PORTAGE | The Redevelopment Commission on Monday approved a lease with the county to bring county auditor, assessor and treasurer offices to the University Center.

PHIL WIELAND: Would a vampire reality show reflect poorly on county

More real than any reality show ever seen on TV before: it's Porter County Government on Parade.

EDITORIAL: Porter County, get with the programs

Whether you see it as a sleep aid or riveting political drama, an increasing amount of the public's business is being done on camera. The Porter County commissioners should join this effort.

6 volunteer for Watchdog Group Initiative steering committee

CROWN POINT | Six Lake and Porter County residents volunteered Tuesday to form the steering committee for the Watchdog Group Initiative during the group’s second meeting at the Purdue Academic Learning Center.

Porter County might give homestead violators some help

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council will have a proposed ordinance on its May 22 agenda that would offer some relief to residents who owe back taxes from homestead exemption violations.

Hundreds of multiunit Porter County residences in violation of homestead deduction

VALPARAISO | The county is granting temporary amnesty to the owners of hundreds of multiunit residential buildings, who have been receiving a larger homestead deduction than is allowed by law.

Porter County tax bills going out next week

VALPARAISO | Porter County Treasurer Mike Bucko said tax bills should begin going out in the mail Monday or Tuesday, marking the third year in a row for on-time billing.

Former auditor earning more as contractor to Porter County

VALPARAISO | After losing his bid for re-election as county auditor a year earlier, Jim Kopp was hired last year as a contractor in the office and was paid more than he was earning as an elected official.

EDITORIAL: Lake, Porter working on Government 2.0

While political storms swirl in Lake and Porter counties, some government officials are doing good work in the trenches. They deserve recognition for their efforts.

Valpo makes plans to borrow in January

VALPARAISO | As its Rainy Day Fund increases, the city hopes to borrow less -- or not at all -- at the start of each year to meet operating expenses until it receives its first property taxes of the new year.

Porter County Council, commissioners to meet on funding plan

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council postponed action Monday on several budgets from the Board of County Commissioners and scheduled a joint meeting between the two bodies to discuss a strategic plan for funding several major items.

MARK KIESLING: County 'consultant' has a certain ring to it

I was having a quiet afternoon with The Senator over the weekend, talking about the situation in Porter County.

Porter County paid millions to consultants in 2010

VALPARAISO | Porter County government paid out nearly $2.8 million last year for various consulting services of more than $1,000.

County departments seek $249,000 extra

VALPARAISO | The Porter County assessor, treasurer and auditor are teaming up to ask the County Council next week for an additional $249,000 to fund assorted projects.