11/03/2024
Porter County council members face future financial issues
James Woods
Chesterton Tribune
Voters will determine Nov. 5 who serves in the three at-large positions on the Porter County Council, which is facing some difficult financial decisions in the near future.
The seven-member council would be the body that decides if an increase in the local income tax is warranted.
Porter County boasts the lowest tax rate in the state. The reason why is Porter County's finances have been supported by proceeds from the sale of the county hospital to Northwest Health.
The county draws interest annually from the millions invested from the sale. But the interest might not be enough in the future because of inflation and the demand for services.
Three incumbent county council members are seeking re-election. Sylvia Graham, a Democrat, is seeking her fifth four-year term on the county council. Mike Brickner and Andy Bozak, Republicans, are seeking re-election to second terms.
The two other Democrats on the at-large slate are Bob DeRuntz, a Chesterton High School History teacher, and Erik Wagner, who was on the county council in 2022.
Michelle Harris, an English teacher at Valparaiso High School, is the other Republican running.
Bob DeRuntz
Bob DeRuntz, a veteran history teacher at Chesterton High School, said he is running for county council because he "genuinely wants to make the decisions for the community."
DeRuntz, 52, a Democrat, is making his first run for political office.
But DeRuntz believes he can bring plenty of experience to the job. For years, he has served as co-president of the Duneland Teachers Association. DeRuntz has also served with Project Neighbors and on the Board of Directors for Porter County Parks and Recreation.
"We need honest leaders in our community to step up and lead. Leaders that believe that character and decency in how we treat each other matters," DeRuntz said.
A major issue that needs to be addressed is ambulance service for Porter County. The county's contract with Northwest Health expires next year.
DeRuntz said there is an issue now where the unincorporated areas of the county are not receiving adequate service.
Public safety funding is another issue that the council must address. DeRuntz said that a number of law enforcement agencies are struggling with their budgets and that the salaries are lagging behind.
Michelle Harris
Michelle Harris, who teaches English at Valparaiso High School, is making her second run for public office after falling short in the Valparaiso City Council race in 2023.
Harris, 45, said she learned much from her first campaign and also from observing county council meetings.
"I think that the most critical issue facing the council is the budget," Harris said.
But Harris said she perceives a larger problem is that the county council has failed to make long-range plans in dealing with looming, known issues.
"We don't have any plan on any level.That's problematic. We really need to have a plan and list of needs and a list of wants," Harris said.
Some of the issues that need to be addressed through a plan include: the severe budget issues, the expiring county ambulance contract and how to fund the Willowcreek Road extension.
Harris said the county cannot expect help from the state because the talk is about reducing taxes that could actually cut support to local governments. She said it's why it is imperative for the county to do better with its planning process.
Erik Wagner
Erik Wagner is only 34, but already has extensive political experience.
Wagner, who helps run Wagner's Ribs, served for years on the Porter Town Council and on various town boards.
In 2022, Wagner was appointed to the Porter County Council to fill the unexpired term of the late Bob Poparad. After being defeated in the Democratic primary for the job, Wagner made an unsuccessful run for county recorder.
Wagner said that it's apparent the county is facing a potential shortfall. He said that he would have to see if there is overspending or if a tax increase is warranted.
As a county council member, Wagner said he would like for the county to make more mental health programs available for youth in the schools. He said it makes the most sense for the county government to deliver such services.
"The (county) health department would have the connections with the mental health resources that we could start to work with," Wagner said.
Andy Bozak
Andy Bozak said that as a county council member, he's trying to keep the services at a high level while keeping the tax rate low.
Bozak, 41, a Republican, is seeking his second 4-year term as a council member at-large. Bozak also served two years on the county council - 2017 to 2018 - as the first district representative and also had been a member of the Burns Harbor Town Council.
Porter County has the distinction of having the lowest local tax rate in the state.
But Bozak acknowledges that the demands are growing to address needs for public safety and the roads.
It's hard to stay ahead of addressing road issues, Bozak noted. For instance, a bridge on Mineral Springs Road had to be suddenly closed because of its deteriorated condition.
Bozak said he believes in the importance of communication and listening to all sides in a non-partisan way. He even regularly puts out his own cell phone number - 219-508-7152 - to emphasize the point.
"Let's work together. It's about talking and getting everyone's input," Bozak said.
Mike Brickner
Mike Brickner, who is seeking his second four-year term on the county council, said that the council will be wrestling with budget issues in the upcoming years.
Brickner, 63, was with the Valparaiso Police Department for 31 years, serving the last 13 years as the chief. He now works as the director of operations for Lake County Community Corrections.
A Republican, Brickner said he sees his job on the county council is to be a "steward of the taxpayer's money."
The trends are that there is not the money available to meet all the needs,
"Whether a tax increase is coming or not is going to have to be discussed," Brickner said.
Brickner said the conversations about the decision have to be "honest and transparent."
Sylvia Graham
Sylvia Graham is currently the only woman serving on the Porter County Council.
Graham, a Democrat, is seeking her fifth four-year on the council.
A retired nurse, Graham has the distinction of winning the Women's Bass Fishing Association Championship in 2000.
She could not be reached for an interview, but during an Oct. 2 Candidates Forum she noted her belief that the county "made good decisions" in how to spend $33 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Graham said that she has helped to lead the council through the lean years to the present because the county can use the interest collected from the sale of the county hospital "to nurture and care for our county without raising taxes."
As a retiree, Graham said that she is sensitive about what the impact is when taxes are raised.
Graham said the county's excellent AA+ credit rating has helped to keep up with building needs, such as replacing the County Highway garage.
