Board of Commissioners

555 Michigan Avenue, Suite 202
LaPorte, IN  46350
Phone: (219) 326-6808 or (219) 874-5611, ext 2229
Fax:  (219) 326-9103

Duties:

The County Commissioners may adopt ordinances regulating behavior. Specifically, they have authority to pass ordinances in the following broad areas:

• To provide for traffic control.
• To establish minimum housing standards.
• To grant vacation pay, sick leave, paid holidays and other similar benefits to county employees.
• To administer elections in conjunction with the county election board.
• To incorporate new towns and alter township boundary lines, on petition.
• Maintain all County property and buildings
• Maintain all County roads.

In most cases the county may exercise its regulatory powers only in the unincorporated areas of the county. As a general rule, the county does not have jurisdiction to regulate behavior in the incorporated cities and towns of the county.

The commissioners are the custodians of the home rule powers of the county. Within the scope of home rule, commissioners may adopt and vest themselves with additional regulatory powers. (Generally see IC 36-2-2 for duties of the board of county commissioners.)

Meetings:

The Board meets the 1st Tuesday of months February through December at 6:00 pm and the 3rd Tuesday at 10:00 am, at the County Complex, meeting room #3. January's meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am and the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am. Special meeting may be called by any commissioner on 48 hour notice.

Two commissioners comprise a quorum, as well as the necessary majority to pass an ordinance or resolution.

Unanimous consent is required to pass an ordinance on the same day or at the same meeting at which it is introduced, except for amendments to zoning ordinances and ordinances of the county council for additional appropriations.

Otherwise an ordinance requires two readings at two separate meetings. County commissioners may adopt their own rules of procedure that are in addition to those required by statute, such as requiring additional ordinance readings.

Ordinances, orders and resolutions are considered adopted when signed by the president of the county commissioners. Generally, an ordinance need not bepublished as a legal notice, unless it prescribes a penalty or forfeiture or there is a specific statute requiring publication. In the case of a penalty or forfeiture, prior to the effective date the ordinance must be published once each week for two consecutive weeks.

The county auditor acts as the clerk of the board of county commissioners and is required to attend all meetings of the commissioners. The Commissioners secretary keeps the minutes for the Board.