Earlier than federal cash was used, there was simply $13,000 within the fund, County Auditor Vicki Urbanik instructed the County Council. The county was on the point of having to disclaim funds for lack of cash within the fund, she mentioned.

The $1.6 million in ARPA {dollars} accepted by the council final month and the Board of Commissioners this month ought to stabilize the fund, Urbanik mentioned.

“We’ve got to essentially, actually watch this fund to ensure it doesn’t go down,” she suggested the council.

“The commissioners are doing what they’ll, however we’ve to essentially watch the income aspect,” she instructed the council. The commissioners employed GIS, an area insurance coverage agency, to assist negotiate with insurers to convey down premiums. As well as, the commissioners organized for a clinic to supply care at low or no price to staff and their households, which has additional pushed down prices for the county in addition to benefiting staff.

Even with these efforts, Urbanik mentioned, “Claims maintain coming in. Individuals maintain utilizing our medical health insurance program.”

“This has been a fund that has been high precedence for me ever since I stepped in right here in 2015,” she mentioned.

Urbanik’s remarks got here in an extended report back to the council, her remaining one as auditor. She will likely be succeeded by Republican Karen Martin.

The overall fund ought to be one other massive concern for the council. “Please maintain the road on extra appropriations,” Urbanik suggested.

If the county’s money steadiness, or working margin, will get right down to $9 million, that’s an issue, she mentioned, as a result of the county has to manage to pay for to pay bills till the following tax draw. In any other case, it must pay curiosity on a tax anticipation warrant, the federal government equal of a payday mortgage.

“When you draw it down an excessive amount of, what’s going to occur,” she mentioned. “I simply need to be a mother and provides that recommendation.”

Serving to the county is her workplace’s efforts in figuring out ineligible homestead credit on properties within the county. She expects the county to realize an extra $100,000 in consequence.

“The overall fund might be the healthiest it’s ever been,” council President Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, mentioned. That’s regardless of spending about $70 million on county services and infrastructure during the last a number of years, he famous.

The council additionally has an extended record of boards with citizen members to nominate for 2023. The deadline is Dec. 30. Click on on the County Council tab on porterco.org or go to the council workplace on the Porter County Administration Constructing in downtown Valparaiso.

People focused on being thought-about for a board place might go to the Porter County Council workplace, 155 Indiana Avenue Suite 207, Valparaiso, to acquire an utility. Functions will also be generated on the Porter County web site at porterco.org below the County Council tab.

Sure necessities, akin to residency, and/or sure political occasion affiliation, have to be met.

The council will appoint members to the Porter County Redevelopment Fee; Alcoholic Beverage Fee; Porter County Property Tax Evaluation Board of Appeals; and the Chesterton, Porter and Valparaiso financial improvement commissions.

The commissioners have a Jan. 6 deadline for citizen appointments. Go to porterco.org or the commissioners’ workplace on the Porter County Administration Constructing. Except in any other case specified, no political affiliation is critical.

Up for grabs are seats on the Alcoholic Beverage Fee; Board of Well being, have to be Republican; Conference, Recreation & Guests Fee; Plan Fee, have to be Democrat; PTABOA; Redevelopment Fee; and Stormwater Advisory Board.