The Porter County Council approved the county’s 2026 budget Monday evening with a $2,000 raise for most employees. The Sheriff’s Department will receive $2,000 per officer but has discretion on how those monies will be distributed.
The total budget for 2026 is $181.2 million, with $50.6 million going to the General Fund.
The employee raises will be in addition to new longevity pay that jumps from $75 to $120 per year of service and will kick in at three years. The longevity bonus is paid out twice a year in June and November and hasn’t been increased since 1990.
“I’m pleased that we’re able to address it,” said Councilman Mike Brickner, R-At-Large. “I appreciate the work that’s gone into it at the auditor’s office.”
Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, was the lone dissenting vote for the budget of the six council members present. Councilman Greg Simms, D-3rd, was absent.
“I support everything in this budget, but I think we left some people behind with the way the raises were distributed,” Rivas said. The council had spent considerable time discussing the fairness of giving a set dollar amount rather than a percentage raise.
Rivas was in favor of a 3% across-the-board raise, pointing out that the county’s employees with higher incomes due to longer experience or more education would lose out on a flat amount versus a percentage. His colleagues agreed, but were comfortable with the move since the majority of county employees are making less than $68,000 and would benefit more from a flat amount.
“We’re punishing them,” Rivas said. “You have more responsibility, you have the less increase.”
Councilman Andy Bozak, R-At-Large, agreed. “I will say, doing that causes pay disparities. I don’t like the $2,000 flat [amount].” He joined Rivas in voting against the $2,000 raises earlier in the meeting, but supported the budget vote.
Deputy Auditor Ryan Kubal said the raises will cost the county $1.2 million. Another $155,325 in dormant funds was unanimously approved to be moved to the General Fund.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
