04112016 - News Article - Porter County Commissioners and Council reply jointly to Portage mayor

Porter County Commissioners and Council reply jointly to Portage mayor
Chesterton Tribune
April 11, 2016
http://chestertontribune.com/Porter%20County/porter_county_commissioners_and.htm

The Porter County Council and Commissioners have released the following joint statement, in response to comments recently made by Portage Mayor James Snyder.

The statement in full:
“Due to recent blatantly false representations made by the Mayor of the City of Portage, the Porter County Commissioners and Porter County Council feel the need to present the residents with an accurate picture of the state of Porter County.

“We are pleased to report that the county is financially secure. The county tax rate has decreased this year. Fiscal responsibility and avoiding unnecessary government spending and borrowing has been a focus that has led to savings to our taxpayers.

“One of the misrepresentations is that hospital proceeds are simply sitting in a bank somewhere and of no value to our residents. Nothing could be further from the truth. The County Council and County Commissioners have made history in the formation of the Porter County Foundation. Porter County is the only county in the State of Indiana to have forged this new ground. We have protected the proceeds over the years rather than spend foolishly and have now invested them in the Foundation. This joint action will reduce the tax burden on the residents of Porter County up to $8 million every year, permanently. The formation and funding of the Foundation has insured that not only is our County solvent now, but it will remain solvent for generations to come.

“Another misrepresentation is that the County government has done nothing to benefit the City of Portage. This too is completely incorrect. The City of Portage has borrowed millions of dollars from the County at a much reduced interest rate. Further, the County has implemented many initiatives that have directly benefited the citizens of Portage. For example, the county absorbed the cost of the 911 system, funded the countywide drug task force, and is constructing an animal shelter without asking Portage to contribute. We also fund all County departments utilized by Portage citizens.

“The Mayor of Portage has also recently criticized County Government for not raising taxes. Fiscal responsibility and working under a sustainable budget has been our goal. We simply will not create unnecessary taxes.

“In addition to working lean, there are many projects being undertaken by the County. Some great examples of these projects include capital projects like construction of a new animal shelter, a new stormwater system, and upgrade to our bridges and roads. We are also assessing and upgrading all of our current buildings and infrastructure.

“Simply put, we will not apologize for our fiscal responsibility as representatives of ALL of Porter County, and we certainly look forward to continue working alongside the people of Portage as well as of all of the Porter County municipalities in the future.”

The statement is signed by all seven members of the County Council and all three Commissioners.