[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6106628,"mediaKeyId","2779780-15b3e3c1f941f234628d742288d3c4c2","parentId",2779780,"title","Votes at a glance: Porter County Council approves multiple transfers, appropriations and personnel reclassifications","audioSeconds",594,"startMs",340000,"endMs",934000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779780-15b3e3c1f941f234628d742288d3c4c2&start=340&end=934","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779780-15b3e3c1f941f234628d742288d3c4c2/thumbnail_340000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106628/Porter-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Porter-County-Council-approves-multiple-transfers-appropriations-and-personnel-reclassifications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106628-536286406e201a8182ed12f72c2c9042/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923150&Signature=fR~qEd5ORhQmGx0psTSuEyZdTL9NSOfXnoA~jleAvUzsfQUu-Olr7PHIfVu9rXLXr~ZOYVkL5UrfpCrXabvyO7u3ZB7LwbecMPYakgomOlQSftVPj9JiBEtP87tle3PNuamfbFFFlnIiAokgrZCpslS97HxBSF3kTg8Wm1UWC~fw6vC8TThSpeERa4m8ykjK~pJbCHZCzNmoF7NbiDVq-s~hDRWifVWsHuJ4lpQRDt2zTVfqcU~JvX0c3u13tDOSoJf8YvZ5gDQfWziNbDb~eoxDUBUXPek5qcTya7dB6xpu1KsMkaYaE2ZwjYxXCCIoW5tni99IoV5P6Q74kwS1KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Porter County IN","date","2025-03-26T14:49:03Z","article","The Porter County Council approved a range of budget transfers, appropriations and personnel reclassifications during its Oct. 8 meeting. Most motions were moved, seconded and approved either by voice vote or roll call.

Key items recorded in the meeting transcript include:

- $100,300 transfer (share of flat rent transfer funds): Motion approved by roll call with a recorded “6–0” voice/roll-call result during the vote sequence (council members answered “yes” in roll call). The motion was described on the agenda as a “share of flat rent transfer funds.”

- Group of transfers and appropriations including $175,000 in county grants (see separate article) and several inter-fund transfers: The transcript records motions, secondings and approvals, often finalized with “Aye” or “Motion carries.” Specific transfers described in the meeting included a $1,500 transfer in data processing, $200,000 to fund-code 61, and other operating transfers and maintenance-account reallocations. Several transfers were approved by voice vote or motion-carry confirmation.

- Personnel reclassifications and salary transfers: The council approved funds to cover reclassifications (for example, upgrades to job classifications and corresponding salary changes). The reclassifications were described as “commensurate” with a salary survey and the council approved the transfers by voice vote and, at times, roll call.

- CCMG grant match and jail-related appropriations: The council confirmed matching money for the CCMG grant (already allocated in the budget) and approved additional jail and court-services funding adjustments needed to cover insurance or post-budget shortfalls.

Vote procedures and tallies: Where a roll-call tally is recorded in the transcript, the report notes the “yes” answers and records the council’s confirmation (for example, one roll call showed six “yes” votes). Other items were adopted by voice vote with the transcript recording “Aye” or “Motion carries.” The transcript does not include a complete roll-call tally for every item; for items where no explicit tally appears in the transcript, the summary indicates the outcome was recorded without a named roll call.

Items not resolved or not specified: The ambulance-committee citizen appointment discussion produced a motion to appoint a council appointee (Amy Gilbert) and extensive debate about the committee’s authority, but the transcript does not include a clear final roll-call outcome for that appointment in the excerpt provided; the appointment outcome is therefore recorded as “decision not specified in transcript.”

Ending: The council concluded the meeting after handling routine transfers, appropriations and committee-business items. The transcript reflects the council’s practice of using a mix of roll-call and voice votes for routine financial and personnel matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Meeting of the Porter County Council - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a series of routine transfers, appropriations and personnel reclassifications during the Oct. 8 meeting; several items passed by roll call and voice vote.","taxTitle","Porter County, Indiana","taxId",12891,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106636,"Porter County Council approves $175,000 in recovery and service grants to five organizations",423,511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779780-15b3e3c1f941f234628d742288d3c4c2&start=511&end=934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779780-15b3e3c1f941f234628d742288d3c4c2/thumbnail_511000.jpg","/articles/6106636/Porter-County/Indiana/Porter-County-Council-approves-175000-in-recovery-and-service-grants-to-five-organizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106636-6f6165bb6a226ec359b30b6664362d7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923150&Signature=lTgZz69weH7ttT0HqmEkmfYq3HXsdqApn8EpC4l9aaez450K11bI6WHoL8mmbabU3YmZqevpmyHOuefT6W8DMr6QvAVmviMhTsRcJfuCNrhc~s7Mofsp7M6LYz5CgExhi-DMQ2Iz5TP0Rl96bcKTFOtQPoy6Yy-JUTNt3g4Tu2c9T5NjU4KNExv3K91FAo~6h21ON11CLIGnHzIFqLtneGcqgxqZf~qmcgheu0Lr6-nvMwM3Pcy6rGpEQkxyCz-PWsxpe13bYOsSVPGHsN-VOWcGSAdsPccYa4NtaGqChAAmXoRC1fRC2Ec89hzvrR5Ap6Bn8-rVpAUKUPFpGppETQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Porter County Council voted on Oct. 8 to award five county grants totaling $175,000 to local recovery and service programs, the council said during a special presentation and subsequent agenda vote.

The funding package arose from a grant-review committee made up of council and commissioner representatives. Committee members reviewed applications and recommended five recipients; the council moved and seconded a single motion to approve all five awards for a combined $175,000 and approved it by voice vote.

Speakers representing recipient organizations described how the money will be used. Jessica Luke, who identified herself as president and CEO of Carrying Lights, said the shelter has offered recovery services alongside domestic-violence assistance and that the funds would support “weekly case management” and a full-time recovery director. “We really have improved the services that we’re providing and they can stay in our care for up to 2 years,” Luke said.

Another presenter described combining a donated 15,000-square-foot building into a recovery center that will include a café and resource services; a Chesterton recovery director thanked the council for funding that sustains nutrition, fitness, art and job-assistance programming.

One grant specifically named in the meeting was a $10,000 award to expand in-school programming in the Department of Teaching and Learning’s prevention and peer-mentoring mental-health programs. Committee members said applications for the next cycle will be available Jan. 1 and that the committee will begin review work in February, moving the schedule roughly one month later than the prior year.

Why it matters: Council members said the funded programs are intended to expand recovery pathways and behavioral-health resources countywide. Several speakers emphasized that these awards support evidence-based services — case management, medically supported care and longer-term placement — that aim to increase recovery success rates.

Vote and procedure: A council member moved to approve all five awards together for a total of $175,000; another council member seconded the motion. The council approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. A committee member told the council the recommendations were unanimous.

Ending: Committee members invited eligible organizations to apply next year. The council said it will post the application timeline on the county website.","The council approved five awards totaling $175,000 from county funds to support recovery services, domestic-violence programs and in-school prevention work; the allocation was passed by voice vote.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106640,"Residents urge council to oppose hyperscale data centers near Wheeler schools",1856,3172000,5028000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779780-15b3e3c1f941f234628d742288d3c4c2&start=3172&end=5028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779780-15b3e3c1f941f234628d742288d3c4c2/thumbnail_3172000.jpg","/articles/6106640/Porter-County/Indiana/Residents-urge-council-to-oppose-hyperscale-data-centers-near-Wheeler-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106640-dfce2b08ae75f2eb761ba44e0045b02f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923150&Signature=UgV8-OWaAtgw0-7I65fBZEVqRizcCC-GxPXAr9Hf0jF8zjvFv-hM2XgmxJN~mjIx9X911AQQ9KR7mI7R9HId28spV1T1FIqfqRBqj97gC~Myjhqs0sl9UfOZE6LiSlz8BOcmMOkJ05s5WjXaYouydW1AQtHy5~I2FmIWALu338COhStkVAFw76dbbtfZRE5aDWa4F6NNLrAOy1Y7rPp3nRJsDddpGFv67lhisZqByU76LAZZnSQj~rFL1NpqLxSATQV147Kru1Rh1SYTCMBd1Tf-DRBTnCyXBukZ8MestLYwaKIAtK31AlgqrepEtKP5VZZS5FKKbCH4oDEZcSYd~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents told the Porter County Council on Oct. 8 they oppose proposed hyperscale data centers near Wheeler High School and Union Township schools, saying the projects could harm water supplies, raise noise and light impacts, lower property values and create an industrial “dead zone” near neighborhoods.

Speakers at the public-comment portion asked the council to press county commissioners to slow the process, require a comprehensive plan and protect school sites. “I don’t want my kid or my grandkid to experience this,” said Annie Hill, who identified herself as living on 650 West, describing how a data center footprint would surround two family farms.

The comments came amid several agenda votes the council conducted earlier in the meeting. Many speakers said councilors told them the council does not have the authority to approve or deny data-center siting, and several urged the council to use whatever influence it has with the county commissioners. Councilman Andy Vasquez told one speaker he had called and emailed constituents to respond to questions about the projects.

Why it matters: commenters said the developments would touch multiple county systems — schools, local roads, the watershed and emergency services. One resident said Union Township covers roughly 30 square miles and that the location under discussion could create nearly 10 square miles of effectively industrialized area, a change she said would reduce the area’s residential character and hurt the local school corporation.

Residents raised a range of specific concerns. Several asked about cooling methods and water use for the data centers and whether large withdrawals could affect the South Creek watershed and nearby Lake conditions. Another recurring issue was tax abatement: speakers warned that tax-incentive packages, combined with large, specialized industrial sites, can shift maintenance and emergency-service burdens to local taxpayers. “How do you create a fire department for a massive industrial complex with taxpayer money when they have no maintenance?” one commenter asked, urging scrutiny of public-safety and cost-shift risks.

Speakers also called for updated planning and public engagement. Kyle Duarte and others said the township’s last comprehensive plan dates to the early 2000s and urged the county and commissioners to complete an up-to-date plan “before we go forward with any sort of large project.” Dan Mullen, a resident who described researching public records, said he feared undue influence because some contractors and development interests have made large campaign contributions in other cases.

Several parents described choosing Wheeler schools for their small-community character and said potential industrial neighbors would undermine that environment. “I sent my kids to Wheeler because it is a small community,” a parent told the council. “If it comes to a decision, if you have a relationship with those commissioners, I urge you to talk to them and understand that your constituents are not happy about this potential idea.”

What the council can and cannot do: multiple speakers noted the Porter County Council does not directly decide siting or county zoning for industrial projects; those powers typically lie with county commissioners and planning/zoning boards. Several commenters asked the council to press commissioners for more detail and to insist on a comprehensive plan and environmental review before approvals or tax abatements proceed.

Next steps mentioned at the meeting included organizers continuing to petition commissioners and to seek further public hearings. Several commenters referenced state-level incentives and recent legislative activity affecting tax abatements; the council discussed the broader issues but did not take any formal action regarding the data-center projects during this meeting.

Ending: Commenters closed by repeating a request for the council and commissioners to hear residents’ concerns: “Hear us. We vote,” said Natalia Dalvin, who said she had traveled from a nearby township to stand with neighbors. The council’s record of the public comments will accompany future agenda items if or when the commissioners or planning bodies bring formal proposals for tax incentives, zoning changes or site-specific approvals.","Dozens of residents told the Porter County Council they oppose proposed hyperscale data centers near Union Township schools, citing health, environmental, traffic and property-tax concerns. Public commenters asked the council to press county commissioners for a comprehensive plan and to consider school safety and water impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Porter County Council approves multiple transfers, appropriations and personnel reclassifications

Porter County Council approves $175,000 in recovery and service grants to five organizations

Residents urge council to oppose hyperscale data centers near Wheeler schools