Legislation once again advancing at the Indiana House would allow counties containing a state park, lake or recreation area, such as Indiana Dunes State Park in Porter County (shown), to impose a $1 surcharge on top of the park’s gate fee to try to cover a portion of the expenses associated with having a state park located in the county. Jon L. Hendricks, file, The Times
State lawmakers once again are considering giving Porter County the opportunity to tap a new revenue stream to support public safety and infrastructure initiatives because it's home to an Indiana state park.
The House Natural Resources Committee voted 12-0 Wednesday to advance House Bill 1204 to the House Ways and Means Committee that reviews all legislation with a significant financial impact.
Porter County may get new revenue source for public safety, infrastructure
The measure would allow counties containing a state park, lake or recreation area, such as Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton, to impose a surcharge of up to $1, on top of the park’s gate fee, to try to cover a portion of the expenses associated with having a state park located in the county.
"When there's a large amount of state-owned property, they don't pay property taxes. So while the community benefits from the visitors that come it doesn't necessarily translate to dollars for public safety or infrastructure," said state Rep. Dave Hall, R-Norman, the sponsor.
Under the plan, the Porter County Council would decide whether to assess the surcharge and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources would add it to the per vehicle fees it collects at Indiana Dunes State Park, which currently are $7 for in-state vehicles and $20 for out-of-state vehicles.
Annual passholders would be exempt from the surcharge, according to the legislation.
Once distributed to Porter County, the surcharge revenue only could be spent on public safety and infrastructure, including water quality improvements, but wouldn’t necessarily have to go toward state park-related projects.
That didn't sit right with state Rep. Randy Novak, D-Michigan City, a former LaPorte County councilman, who said at least 25% of the money should be dedicated to public safety purposes, particularly for units that routinely respond to emergencies at the state park.
"The county could with these funds, the way it's written, commit to an infrastructure project and bond these funds, and commit almost all of it, and none of it would go to public safety," Novak said.
Hall said as a "recovering" county councilman himself he understands Novak's concerns. But Hall prefers to trust counties to do the right thing instead of the state telling them exactly what they have to do.
A similar plan was approved 80-11 by the Indiana House last year but faltered in the Senate. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources told the committee it remains opposed to the additional charge.
"Now is not the time to increase gate fees on Hoosiers using state parks," said Will Haines, DNR legislative director. "Seldom will visitors understand the increase is due to a local government ordinance and not the state raising the fees."
The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates a $1 fee in Porter County could raise $131,755 a year based on gate charges at Indiana Dunes State Park during the 2025 state budget year.
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