The West Porter Township Fire Protection District Board was told by its municipal advisor Cender Dalton Monday evening to expect its funding stream to remain stagnant in the wake of passage of Senate Bill 1 this spring.
“I would advise you that revenues would remain stagnant,” said Cender Dalton Senior Associate Daniel Dalton during a brief report. “There’s a lot of moving parts, but this is not a fire and brimstone conversation.”
Dalton explained that there isn’t a clear answer as to what the impact of SB1 will be on the district until the end of 2028. The supplemental deduction will increase as the standard deduction goes down. Formally being called a new, non-refundable homestead tax credit capped at $300, the tax break will affect the district since most of it is residential property.
Board President Craig Klauer said tax revenue remaining stagnant would affect the district “hugely.” Board Secretary Rob Rabelhofer said one area of concern is the district’s aging fleet of equipment. The district has tried to be conservative on replacing items as efforts to form a fire territory complicate issues of investment and ownership.
“My personal thought is we’re just trying to maintain our standard of service,” Rabelhofer said.
Dalton said the levy growth quotient, which is the maximum levy the district is allowed to ask for from the state, is capped at a 4% increase for 2026, a 1% increase for 2027, and a 2% increase for 2028. Board Treasurer Guy Kosmoski asked if there was talk about how the state would make up the loss of revenue from the tax credits.
Rabelhofer said local governments would be left to raise the Local Income Tax (LIT) to fill the shortfall. Some in Porter County government, namely Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, are saying that a LIT increase is indeed necessary.
“We’re at the mercy of whatever the county gets,” Rabelhofer said. The board plans to address the Porter County Council at its August meeting.
In other business, Klauer said Board Attorney Adam Sworden advised the board it was exempt from a new state law requiring live streaming of public meetings as of July 1.
Regarding efforts to form a fire protection territory, Rabelhofer said, “There’s no update right now. We’re still in talks.”
The next board meeting is Monday, Oct. 6.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
