Commissioners plan optimistically for income tax revenue

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Commissioners are taking an optimistic view in planning for local income tax revenue next year, despite some recent declines in the funding.

County inking crackdown on unlawful tattoo shops

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Health Department is in the process of inking a crackdown on tattoo shops failing to comply with state regulations.

County brings in human resources specialist

VALPARAISO | In hopes of getting a better grip on employee issues facing county government, the Porter County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to hire a private firm to conduct a human resource audit.

Porter could lose $1.6M to Lake's new income tax

VALPARAISO | Porter County stands to lose as much as $1.66 million in income tax revenue when neighboring Lake County implements its own income tax.

Memorial Opera House repair job costs reach $315,000

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to spend another $90,000 on maintenance at the 120-year-old Memorial Opera House, boosting the total cost of the most recent repair job to $315,000.

Officials close to settling dispute over jail medical plan

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Dave Lain appear to be reaching a middle ground in a dispute over health care improvements at the jail.

Commissioners vow support for school safety effort

VALPARAISO | Porter County Commissioner President John Evans threw his support Tuesday behind a request to fund an effort to enhance school safety in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut.

Commissioners seek to dip deeper into hospital interest

VALPARAISO | The Porter County commissioners began a push Tuesday to dip more deeply into the nearly $11 million in interest on the proceeds from the sale of the county hospital six years ago.

Veteran college progams among new laws signed by Pence

INDIANAPOLIS | Military veterans should have an easier time navigating the state's universities thanks to a new law sponsored by state Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh, D-Crown Point, that was signed last week by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Porter County joins race for amateur sports market

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Board of Commissioners announced plans Tuesday to expand the local tourism board by two seats to go after the amateur sports market.

Porter Co. Commissioners set to prevail in tax dispute with council

INDIANAPOLIS | A measure expected to be signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence should end a dispute between the Porter County Council and the county commissioners over who has the authority to spend local income tax revenue.

Commissioners to audit sheriff's funds

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to have a financial study done at the Porter County Sheriff's Department in an effort to bring the jail into compliance with requirements for inmate medical care.

Board wants County Council to comply on redevelopment panel

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Board of Commissioners took action Tuesday designed to force the County Council to better comply with the intended makeup of the Porter County redevelopment commission.

Indiana House backs Porter County commissioners in tax dispute

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House approved legislation Monday intended to end a dispute between the Porter County Council and the county commissioners over who has the authority to spend local income tax revenue.

Funding falling short for Porter County Jail inmate addiction program

VALPARAISO | Porter County Sheriff Dave Lain told the County Commissioners on Tuesday that a fund he relies on to pay for addiction treatment for jail inmates is no longer collecting enough money to cover the costs of the program.

DOUG ROSS: Porter County Council, commissioners need to talk

This being the start of a new year, Porter County officials have a chance to start off on the right foot, right a few past wrongs, and set a good example for other counties.

Commissioners OKs hospital interest for new PACT building

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Board of Commissioners kicked off the year Tuesday by granting final approval to spend $600,000 of interest money from the sale of the county hospital to purchase and renovate a building for the PACT alternative sentencing program.

Porter County seeks to fill board vacancy

VALPARAISO | Porter County commissioners are seeking to fill a vacancy on the Gary/Chicago Airport board in January.

State lawmakers hope to head off in-house county legal fight

VALPARAISO | A bipartisan group of state lawmakers announced Friday it is drafting emergency legislation that should bring an end to the dispute at the county level over the handling of local income tax revenue.

Porter County attorney backs commissioners in income tax dispute

VALPARAISO | Porter County Attorney Betty Knight said Tuesday she does not believe a recent modification to state law clears the way for the County Council to break with tradition and spend local income tax revenue without the support of the county commissioners.