Development News for Michigan City, Indiana

County to Host Food Truck Event Next Week

Monique Thomas, HR Director, announced an upcoming food truck event to be held the following week. The event will take place across the street from the county building in the Hiler building parking lot. On Thursday, the event will be in La Porte, and on Friday, it will be in Michigan City. The event is intended to allow employees and the community to enjoy good food and interact.

Jim Lefever Appointed BZA Alternate Amidst Concerns

The board considered a motion to appoint Jim Lefever as the alternate member to the BZA. Commissioner Gramarossa raised concerns, citing Lefever's appearance in a police incident report and his behavior during public comments at previous meetings, questioning the appropriateness of the appointment. Commissioner Gramarossa also advocated for the return of Brad Merzinski, who had been removed previously. Commissioner Haney noted that Lefever was the only individual who had responded to requests for nominations and had a retired status. A vote was taken, resulting in Jim Lefever being appointed as the alternate with a two-to-one vote.

Voter Registration to Occur at Fairgrounds During Fair Week

The board discussed and approved a proposal for voter registration activities during fair week. This initiative, a bipartisan effort agreed upon by both the Democratic and Republican party chairs (Julie Sinclair for Democratic Party, and Alan Stevens for Republican Party), will move registration efforts from the county office to the fairgrounds. The proposed hours at the fairgrounds are from noon to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and weekends, utilizing the FEMC building. This mirrors the successful approach taken last year, providing a middle ground compared to prior years when registration was solely at the fairgrounds or shut down entirely.

County Auditor Updates on Budget, Tax Settlements, and Financial Processes

County Auditor Mike Rosenbaum provided an update on various financial matters. Budget season is underway, with all budgets released and due back by June 15th for review. Payroll information (Form 144) and a 3-year capital asset plan have also been distributed. Rosenbaum mentioned the upcoming receipt of monthly LIT distributions exceeding $5 million, to be distributed later in the week. He also detailed the tax settlement process on June 9th, involving software companies and the Treasurer's office to determine and distribute collected taxes, currently held in trust. The process requires submission to DLGF for review. A tax sale date is set for October 13th. Rosenbaum also commented on the claims process, emphasizing the need for clear notes and invoices to ensure timely processing and reduce delays.