Duties & Responsibilities

The elected three member Board of Commissioners serves as the legislative and executive branch of county government. Generally, their roles and responsibilities apply only to the unincorporated areas of the county that are outside the municipal boundaries of our Cities & Towns. 

Within the scope of home rule, Commissioners may adopt and vest themselves with additional regulatory powers. Their responsibilities include:

• Controlling, maintaining and supervising county property including courthouse, jails and public offices; 
• Supervising construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, and provide for traffic control; 
• Developing economic development programs to attract and retain jobs in the county;
• Developing and administering human resources policies, procedures and benefit programs for county employees;
• Establishing and enforcing minimum housing and zoning standards;
• Auditing and authorizing payments on behalf of the county;
• Receiving bids and authorizing contracts;
• Exercising appointive powers to fill positions on boards, commissions and committees;
• Exercising appointive powers for certain department heads.

By virtue of their positions, the three Commissioners also serve as ex-officio members of the following boards:

• Drainage Board
• Finance Board
• Porter County Government Non-Profit Charitable Foundation
• Recycling & Waste Reduction District
• Storm Water Board

In addition to the boards listed above, one Commissioner is appointed annually by a majority vote of the Board to serve on the following boards and commissions:

• 911 Advisory Board
• Center For Workforce Innovations
• Child Protection Team
• Community Corrections Advisory Board
• Emergency Management Advisory Board
• Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Northwest Indiana Regional Development Commission
• Plan Commission
• Storm Water Advisory Board