(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte County Council is hosting a public hearing this evening on the proposed increase in the La Porte countywide income tax.

Recently, a wage study was ordered to determine exactly how the salaries of La Porte County government employees compared to the pay of government workers in other counties.

La Porte County Commissioner Joe Haney said he hopes the county council doesn't vote until the study results are reviewed to determine if an income tax increase is needed and how much the increase should be. Haney feels the proposed .05-percent increase in the tax is too much especially considering the impact of inflation on citizens' pocketbooks.

“Hopefully, they will wait for it to come back and have some hard data on exactly where they need to go,” Haney said.

Money generated by a tax increase would go strictly to public safety in areas like more competitive wages to stop turnover. However, the funds could also be applied to equipment and facilities like a new county jail that might be needed within the next decade.

Tonight's meeting is at the La Porte County Complex at 5:30 PM.