Porter Town Council members criticized the performance of Porter County’s Animal Control & Shelter Services, especially as the county is seeking a significant increase in the town’s financial contribution starting next year.
Council on Tuesday decided to table the county’s requests for contract extensions for the remainder of this year and for 2027 through 2029.
Under the terms, the town would see its contribution more than double from $10,158 this year to $21,766 next year for animal control and shelter services. Porter would pay $22,528 in 2028 and $23,116 in 2029.
Council President William Lopez, D-Ward 3, said that he was at a recent gathering of town and city officials and they all expressed a similar desire to see more documentation from the county for such a large increase.
Councilwoman Laura Madigan, D-Ward 1, said if the county needs more money, they should raise taxes. She noted that all government subdivisions are dealing with less revenue because of the state’s property tax reforms.
Madigan said that she has received complaints from town employees and residents about the performance of the county’s animal control service.
“I have not seen any evidence that the contract we have paid them for is worth it,” Madigan said.
Councilman James Burge, I-Ward 4, said that he has heard cases of residents waiting weeks for a response to get a stray picked up, even when the animal is considered dangerous.
Burge said the town could explore the possibility of joining with neighboring Duneland communities for a contract with a private shelter.
At one point, Burge suggested that the town could reject the extension of the contract this year to send a message.
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Council members decided against taking that action now, but they definitely want more evidence from the county before they vote on the contracts.
In other business, Burge asked if the town could post a temporary stop sign at U.S. 20 and Waverly Road when the traffic light isn’t working.
Within minutes after a storm knocked out power Monday evening, a motorist on U.S. 20 barreled through the intersection and collided with a vehicle crossing on Waverly Road. When a traffic light isn’t working, motorists on all sides of the intersection are supposed to stop before driving through an intersection.
Public Works Superintendent James Spanier said the town cannot put up a temporary stop sign because U.S. 20 is under the state’s control.
Spanier said that the state’s policy is that a temporary stop sign cannot be put up for 24 hours. He said if the town puts up a temporary stop sign, it would be liable for any crash that would occur.
Council also gave first reading to an ordinance that would ban semi-truck traffic on Lincoln Street between Wagner and Waverly Roads.
Under the ordinance, trucks would only be allowed on Lincoln Street – which is Porter’s downtown – to make deliveries.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.