Porter County may have the opportunity to tap a new revenue stream to support public safety and infrastructure initiatives because it is home to an Indiana state park.
The Indiana House voted 80-11 Tuesday to advance House Bill 1245 to the Senate. It would allow counties containing a state park, lake or recreation area, such as Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton, 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.
“These counties lose tax revenue from government-owned land while bearing the costs of public safety and infrastructure for residents and visitors,” 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 $12 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.
The push for the proposal comes from Brown County in southern Indiana, whose roughly 15,000 residents struggle to pay for the services needed by the approximately 1.6 million annual visitors to Brown County State Park.
Nearly 2 million people a year visit Indiana Dunes State Park, according to the DNR.
“This bill provides counties with a fair and sustainable funding source to support essential services for visitors and residents. It ensures our communities can continue welcoming visitors while maintaining public safety and infrastructure,” Hall said.
State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City, was among the lawmakers supporting the plan.
“This is a good bill,” Boy said. “It’s a dollar a car. It’s not really going to break the bank. But it’ll help all these communities.”
The measure next goes to the Senate.
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