Porter County is looking to form some committees to help allocate more than $33 million in American Rescue Plan money. The county commissioners' plan for the first half of those funds has drawn criticism from some residents and non-profits, especially a request for $5.5 million to upgrade the Memorial Opera House.
Now, County Council President Jeremy Rivas says the commissioners are looking to put together a steering committee, along with subcommittees that can engage with the county's businesses and non-profit groups: "The Caring Place or the Boys and Girls Club or whether it's YMCAs, whether it's Housing Opportunities, just to name a few organizations that say there's an issue out there, whether it's homelessness or something, and come to us or come to these subcommittees with ideas on how to solve those issues," Rivas said during Tuesday's council meeting.
One subcommittee will focus on infrastructure, facilities and tourism; another on non-profits and businesses; and a third on social issues and mental health.
But Rivas says the commissioners' original proposal will still be considered. The council plans to vote on it in February. "As a body, we could take it as a whole or tear it apart [into separate pieces]. That would be up to this board," Rivas said.
During Tuesday's meeting, residents continued calling for the money to be used to address environmental issues, homelessness, mental health, and COVID-19 itself. Residents can still offer input on the county's website.
