The Paul C. Zona Sr. Wildlife Sanctuary in Jackson Township might expand by another 28 acres.

North Porter County Commissioner John Evans announced at Tuesday’s commissioner meeting that the Porter County Wildlife Management Board has the opportunity to acquire two nearby parcels for a total of $225,000.

Evans said the wildlife board could put up $50,000 of its own funding, which comes from the County Economic Development Income Tax. He suggested that the commissioners contribute another $50,000 in unallocated CEDIT funds. The remainder would come from a federal grant that the wildlife board has pending, he said.

As suggested by County Attorney Gwenn Rinkenberger, the commissioners agreed to have the wildlife board make a presentation at their next meeting to request the additional CEDIT funds.

In another matter Tuesday involving CEDIT, the commissioners approved a plan to pay the county’s dues toward the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission with CEDIT funds.

During the recent budget hearings, the Porter County Council suggested using CEDIT to pay the NIRPC dues, in turn freeing up the county’s general fund. Porter County’s NIRPC dues are $150,000 annually.

To pay for the NIRPC dues, the commissioners will use income tax funds left over from participating in a study on expanded rail service. Porter County Commissioner Robert Harper said that the county’s participation in the study totaled only about $150,000, so there is about $600,000 left over in that fund. That will provide the money for four years of NIRPC membership.

Posted 11/8/2007