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.

Lawyer fuels opposition to U.S. 6 TIF

VALPARAISO | Smiles broke out on the faces of a few County Council members Tuesday when a local attorney specializing in real estate and land use voiced his opinion that tax increment finance districts do not mix well with tax abatements.

Impact of Porter County's first TIF called into question

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Redevelopment Commission was told Thursday it could reap $8.4 million during the next 20 years from the new hospital alone if a tax increment finance district is created along that portion of the U.S. 6 corridor.

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.

Council shuts down homestead violation crackdown

VALPARAISO | A fractured Porter County Council took a second shot Wednesday at gutting a county auditor fund, which brought a halt to a crackdown on homestead deduction violators that already has collected $1.6 million.

Porter County Council mixed on proposed tax increases

VALPARAISO | A consulting firm finished a recent financial evaluation of Porter County by suggesting officials consider eliminating the property tax break approved when the local income was doubled eight years ago.

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.

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.

Porter Co. Council hires former reporter as budget specialist

VALPARAISO | Former Chesterton Tribune reporter Vicki Urbanik, who made a failed bid in 2010 as a Democrat for county auditor, was hired Tuesday night by the Porter County Council to fill the newly created position of full-time budget and finance specialist.

Greater accountability over income tax means more work for council

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council's call for greater accountability over the spending of local income tax revenue resulted in a lengthy and detailed review Tuesday night of the $8 million in requests submitted by the county commissioners.

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.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Porter County must manage workforce better

In 2012, Porter County government authorized a comprehensive study of our county finances. The report, which was submitted last December, warned that every major service delivered, as well as every major fund we currently manage, needs to be adjusted through acts of efficiency. Otherwise, co…

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.

EDITORIAL: Porter County needs to hire HR pro

The Porter County Council's quest to hire a budget and finance specialist is misguided. If the council is looking to add to the payroll, though, there's a more pressing need.

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.

Attempt to clear up Porter County budget woes hits a wall

VALPARAISO | An attempt by the Porter County Council to straighten up its budget woes has itself become a problem.

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.

County moving toward U.S. 6 TIF

VALPARAISO | The revamped Porter County Redevelopment Commission has targeted the U.S. 6 corridor near the new hospital as a potential site to test out its new power to create a tax increment finance district.

Council tables huge pay raise for coroner

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council tabled a proposal Tuesday night to increase the pay of the coroner, potentially by as much as nearly 100 percent.

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.