In a move to enhance the county’s revenue stream, the Porter County Council recently approved an additional $185,500 in expenditures. This investment is projected to yield significant returns in the future.
Assessor Sue Neff received unanimous approval to allocate $100,000 for contractual services. This will facilitate the hiring of a vendor to assist in the reassessment of commercial and industrial parcels within the county this year. Additionally, two county staffers will be trained to conduct the work in-house in the future.
Neff acknowledged that commercial values have been undervalued, leading to an unfair burden on residential taxpayers. She anticipates the vendor’s assistance will elevate commercial and industrial valuations by a substantial margin, potentially between $7 million and $18 million.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Jeff Balon secured unanimous approval for an additional $85,500 to engage contractual services with Summerill Consultants. This company specializes in assisting correctional facilities in negotiating higher daily reimbursement rates from the federal government for housing federal inmates.
Balon highlighted that former Sheriff David Reynolds had successfully collaborated with Summerill Consultants three years ago, resulting in a significant increase in the per diem rate. The new rate is expected to increase revenues for the jail by $515,000 over the next three years.
The federal inmates housed in the Porter County Jail primarily comprise violent offenders from across the country. The jail’s daily inmate population consists of approximately 55% to 60% federal prisoners.
Overall, this strategic allocation of funds is intended to enhance the fairness of property assessments, optimize jail revenue, and ultimately benefit the residents of Porter County.