At the end of its second round of 2026 Porter County budget hearings on Sept. 18, the Porter County Council came together in spirit to agree on a strategy for getting through the next two years and also finding the $5 million for four capital projects that require an immediate commitment.

Development & Storm Water Management Director Mike Jabo has been making the rounds of the two branches of county government explaining the projects, their costs, and what would be lost or even need to be repaid if the county doesn’t commit soon. Calumet Trail Phase III requires an investment from the county of $1.28 million to match $4.9 million from a Federal Lands Access Program through the Federal Highway Administration. There are 6.3 miles of trail left to contract out.

Next is the County Road 100 S

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