St. Joseph County Council

St. Joseph County Council President Bryan Tanner says he sympathizes with people living north of the Toll Road who might want to complain about low-frequency sound but it will not be possible to accurately measure sound from the data center when the Toll Road makes so much noise itself.

At the New Carlisle-Olive Township Public Library Tuesday, meeting organizers will dispute facts presented in a recent data center rezoning case, show a video about community and environmental risks posed by data centers, and take public questions and comments.

Critics say they worry about burdening heirs with liens but Republican St. Joseph County Council members say they're more worried about making it easier for middle-aged and senior homeowners who've paid off their mortgages to stay in their homes despite rising property tax bills.

After Microsoft announced it won't seek property tax breaks for its data centers, four St. Joseph County Council members have asked Amazon to renegotiate their $4 billion property tax abatement over 35 years.

St. Joseph County commissioners on Monday approved their annual animal control contract with the Humane Society.

St. Joseph County's new "Help Seniors Stay in Their Homes" program will let homeowners age 55 and older defer property taxes until their home is transferred to another owner.

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library officials say their new bookmobile is for everyone, but they're especially eager to bring books to senior and day care centers, apartment complexes, and poorer areas of the city.

Republicans Griffin Nate and Jackie Horvath, the St. Joseph County party chair, petitioned the county Election Board to keep Republican County Council member Dan Schaetzle off the May primary election ballot because the district and state GOP have ruled he's not in good standing with the party.

St. Joseph County Council President Bryan Tanner says since the county is creating nearly half of the animal control work for the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, its funding to the nonprofit should increase accordingly.