St. Joseph County commissioners veto proposed homestead property-tax deferral after staff and public warnings After extensive testimony from county assessors, treasurer and auditor staff about liens, implementation and costs, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners voted to veto Ordinance 16-26, a council-passed homestead property tax deferral program, citing concerns it would create secured debt and administrative risk.

St. Joseph County commissioners have vetoed a controversial property tax deferral program after hearing dire warnings that it could burden homeowners with long-term debt and administrative headaches.

Click to read more!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #StJosephCounty #HomeownerProtection

St. Joseph County approves Motorola radio replacements and console migration estimate totaling roughly $1.36 million The county approved purchase of 50 Motorola APX portable radios for about $61,896.47 (with trade-in credits) and authorized a $1.3 million AXS dispatch console migration; staff said Motorola offered about $805,000 in promotional savings if approved by March 16.

St. Joseph County is set to modernize its emergency response with a $1.36 million upgrade to radios and dispatch consoles, ensuring reliable communications for years to come.

Learn more here!

#JosephCounty #IN #EmergencyCommunications #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #StJosephCounty

Residents warn drainage board that Hexagon solar plans could damage century‑old tiles and worsen flooding Residents used privilege of the floor to present a binder and maps showing large solar proposals (described as 2,000 to 7,047 acres in different maps), urged limits near county tile lines and urged the board to require engineered detention and tile protections; county counsel materials describing the board's statutory powers were also presented.

Residents are raising alarms over massive solar developments that could threaten century-old drainage systems and exacerbate flooding in St. Joseph County.

Get the details!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalImpact #StJosephCounty

Residents and council member press commissioners on Microsoft data center, TIF expansion and Patriot Veil extension County council member Andy Rutten and residents including Stacia Skillman and Steve Zeifong urged commissioners to explain why the Microsoft data center and a possible TIF expansion are back before the commissioners and raised concerns about land use, school proximity, train impacts and fiscal effects on county general fund.

Residents are demanding answers from commissioners about the controversial Microsoft data center and its potential impact on their community, raising red flags about land use and tax implications.

Get the details!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #LandUseIssues #CommunityConcerns #StJosephCounty

Resident urges St. Joseph County to back one-year moratorium on data-center rezonings A New Carlisle resident urged the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners to support a one-year moratorium on data-center rezonings, citing concerns about expanding footprints and uncertain water and energy impacts; a commissioner defended previous public support for a recent rezoning, citing limited water impact and economic benefits.

A passionate New Carlisle resident is calling for a one-year moratorium on new data-center rezonings, raising alarms about the potential impact of the upcoming Amazon project on local resources and community health.

Learn more here

#JosephCounty #IN #StJosephCounty #DataCenterMoratorium

Petitioners present written commitments and technical data as council hears a lengthy public hearing on proposed West Saint Joseph County data center Petitioners seeking to rezone about 1,000 acres for a 14-building data center campus presented 12 written commitments and technical clarifications on water, power and environmental controls; the council held an extended public hearing and did not vote Thursday.

A contentious public hearing unfolded as council members scrutinized a massive data center proposal that could reshape 1,000 acres in Saint Joseph County amid community concerns and commitments by petitioners.

Read the full story

#JosephCounty #IN #EconomicDevelopment #StJosephCounty

St. Joseph County Council tables proposed land bank interlocal amid legal-cost and oversight questions After extensive testimony from MACOG, the Community Foundation and housing partners about a $20 million Lilly Endowment grant and a proposed countywide land bank, the council voted 5-4 to table Resolution Bill 88-25 to allow more work on legal-cost arrangements and oversight language with the commissioners.

The St. Joseph County Council has postponed a crucial vote on a proposed $20 million land bank aimed at revitalizing housing, amid concerns over legal costs and oversight.

Learn more here

#JosephCounty #IN #CommunityDevelopment #BlightRemediation #StJosephCounty #CitizenPortal

Residents press commissioners to clarify county support and water limits for proposed New Carlisle data center Two New Carlisle-area residents told the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners they oppose the county's supportive letter for a proposed data center, questioned the project's water allocations and asked why no enforceable limits or penalties exist for exceeding the county's stated aquifer use figure.

Residents are raising alarms over a controversial data center proposal in New Carlisle, questioning the county's lack of transparency and the staggering water use claims that could impact the community.

Get the details!

#JosephCounty #IN #WaterResources #CommunityEngagement #StJosephCounty

District reviews MOU with Mishawaka that would allocate sewer capacity for Microsoft site The Saint Joseph County Regional Water and Sewer District reviewed a draft MOU with the city of Mishawaka to provide regional sewer service to the northeastern county, including an interim forced main to serve a proposed Microsoft site and an average daily sewer capacity allowance of roughly 492,000 gallons; the board did not approve the MOU and asked staff to circulate exhibits for further review.

A groundbreaking MOU could pave the way for a massive sewer capacity boost in St. Joseph County, setting the stage for a major Microsoft development!

Click to read more!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #StJosephCounty

Area Plan Commission forwards amendments to Economic Development Area No. 3 to county leaders The Saint Joe County Area Plan Commission voted to recommend APC R‑270‑25, which reduces and renames Economic Development Area No. 3 as the Capitol Avenue Economic Development Area, creates five allocation areas, adds about 72 parcels to the acquisition list and establishes a work plan to fund water, sewer and trail projects tied to planned Microsoft development.

The Saint Joe County Area Plan Commission just took a major step forward by recommending significant amendments to boost economic development and infrastructure in the newly minted Capitol Avenue Economic Development Area.

Click to read more!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #StJosephCounty

Council committee forwards multiple sheriff’s office transfers to cover jail overtime and retroactive salary changes The committee advanced several sheriff’s office transfer and salary-ordinance items to the full council to cover overtime, adjustments from part-time to full-time special deputies (some made retroactive), and other staffing-related shortfalls; members pressed for clarity on who authorized benefit changes and requested tighter oversight.

St. Joseph County's council faces a heated debate over overtime funding and unexpected benefit costs for newly full-time deputies—who's accountable for the budget chaos?

Get the details!

#JosephCounty #IN #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #WorkforceManagement #StJosephCounty

Commissioners table Mishawaka MOU after online commenter raises concerns about large East‑side economic development area and TIFs An online commenter urged more public input and objected to an MOU that, he said, advances a large East Side Economic Development Area and related TIFs; staff said the MOU is still being drafted and the board voted to table the memorandum of understanding regarding IURC matters with the City of Mishawaka.

Tensions rise as a local commenter calls for public input on a controversial economic development plan in St. Joseph County, prompting commissioners to hit the pause button.

Get the details!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #StJosephCounty #EconomicDevelopment

Commission approves nearly $957,000 fiber backbone contract to extend broadband to North Liberty and Walkerton St. Joseph County's redevelopment commission approved a $956,820 contract with Choice Lite to build a fiber spine through Walkerton and to the southern limits of Walkerton, leveraging Project Honeysuckle funds as part of a broader rural broadband expansion effort.

St. Joseph County is set to revolutionize rural connectivity with a groundbreaking $956,820 fiber project that promises to bring high-speed internet to underserved areas.

Click to read more!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #RuralConnectivity #StJosephCounty #BroadbandAccess

Granger Subdistrict approves settlement with Mishawaka on eastern water and sewer territories The Granger Subdistrict board approved an intergovernmental settlement package with the City of Mishawaka defining exclusive water territory, Mishawaka’s exclusive sewer area, and a shared ‘Granger West’ sewer zone. Approval was contingent on the county and city finalizing matching agreements; the board noted an IURC filing deadline and a roughly 7

The Granger Subdistrict has just approved a crucial settlement with Mishawaka that will reshape water and sewer service territories in St. Joseph County—what does this mean for local development?

Click to read more!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #WaterResourceManagement #StJosephCounty

County approves paving equipment purchase and LiDAR road survey to stretch maintenance dollars The Board approved $845,589 to buy paving equipment (asphalt paver, roller, skid steer) to let county crews self-perform subdivision paving and a separate $87,285, one-year contract for a LiDAR-based road-condition survey to improve PACER ratings and target repairs.

St. Joseph County is gearing up to enhance its road maintenance with new paving equipment and cutting-edge LiDAR technology, promising to stretch repair dollars further than ever before.

Click to read more!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #StJosephCounty

Committee recommends against rezoning 1,000 acres north of New Carlisle after hours of testimony After multi‑hour testimony from the petitioner, landowner and technical witnesses, the Land Use Planning Committee voted 3–2 to send Bill 4,225 (rezoning roughly 1,000 acres north of New Carlisle from agricultural to industrial for a proposed data‑center campus) to the full council with an unfavorable recommendation. Petitioner representatives said

After hours of heated debate, the Land Use Planning Committee voted against a controversial rezoning that could transform 1,000 acres of farmland into a massive data center campus.

Get the details!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #StJosephCounty #CommunityConcerns

County to apply for 2026 Community Crossings grant; commissioners note smaller statewide pool and higher competition St. Joseph County authorized staff to submit the 2026 Community Crossings matching grant application and approved the county financial commitment. Presenters said the statewide grant pool has been reduced, tightening competition and reducing potential funding amounts compared with prior years.

St. Joseph County is gearing up to secure funding for crucial road improvements, but with a dramatically reduced statewide grant pool, competition is fiercer than ever!

Learn more here!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #StJosephCounty

Commissioners approve a slate of ordinances, contracts and grants in largely unanimous votes At its Oct. 21 meeting the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved six ordinances, multiple contract agreements and grant applications, and routine business items. Most votes were unanimous; several council-passed measures had split votes at the county council level but received approval from the commissioners.

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has made significant strides in shaping the county's future by approving crucial budgets and contracts in a nearly unanimous vote.

Learn more here!

#JosephCounty #IN #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #StJosephCounty

St. Joseph County approves interlocal agreement with INDOT to build State Road 2/Larison Boulevard interchange The Redevelopment Commission approved an interlocal cooperative agreement with the Indiana Department of Transportation to build an interchange at State Road 2 and Larison Boulevard. The county’s share is $19 million total, including a $7 million Amazon contribution; construction is expected to start in March and finish November 2027.

St. Joseph County just greenlit a $19 million project to build a crucial interchange at State Road 2 and Larison Boulevard, backed by a significant contribution from Amazon Web Services!

Click to read more!

#JosephCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #StJosephCounty #TrafficMobility

Temporary traffic signal over a road.

Bridge maintenance starts June 9 in #StJosephCounty www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-ou...

Hello, #StJosephCounty, #IN. 10279 pages going back to #2013

buff.ly/UUYR0WQ

Including data from the:
- Board of Commissioners
- County Council
- Area Board of Zoning Appeals
- Area Plan Commission
- Redevelopment Commission
- Plat Committee
- Election Board
- Drainage Board
- and many more!

Local leader criticizes Amazon for unmet job promises in $1 million tax abatement deal Amazon's tax break raises concerns over job creation and local economic impact.

St. Joseph County officials are questioning the true economic benefits of Amazon's $1 million tax abatement deal as local job creation falls short of promises.

Read the full story

#St.JosephCounty #IN #CommunityAccountability #EconomicDevelopment #JobCreation #StJosephCounty #CitizenPortal