NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EAST LAKE FIRE PROTECTION TERRITORY
Property owners, taxpayers, and other interested parties in the Town of New Chicago, Lake County, Indiana (“New Chicago”) are hereby notified that the Town of New Chicago and the City of Lake Station (“Lake Station”), Lake County, Indiana are considering the formation of a fire protection territory. The current fire protection territory proposal contemplates that Lake Station will be the provider unit with New Chicago serving as a participating unit. The current proposal requires a uniform tax rate be established for all taxpayers within the proposed fire territory.
Pursuant to IC 36-8-19-6, the New Chicago Town Council will hold three (3) public hearings on the proposed establishment of the East Lake Fire Protection Territory and the imposition of the associated fire protection tax. The public hearings will be held at the following dates, times, and locations:
First Public Hearing:
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
New Chicago Town Hall
1421 W. 37th Ave.
Hobart, Indiana 46342
Second Public Hearing:
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
New Chicago Town Hall
1421 W. 37th Ave.
Hobart, Indiana 46342
Third Public Hearing:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
New Chicago Town Hall
122 Huber Blvd
1421 W. 37th Ave., Indiana 46342
The proposed budget, levy, and tax rate for the proposed Fire Protection Territory is as follows:
East Lake Fire Protection Territory
First Year Proposed Operating Budget: $2,590,015
First Year Proposed Operating Levy: $1,930,015
First Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Budget: $380,323
First Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Levy: $170,323
First Year Proposed Operating Tax Rate (Uniform): $0.3773
First Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Tax Rate (Uniform): $0.0333
Second Year Proposed Operating Budget: $2,667,616
Second Year Proposed Operating Levy: $2,007,616
Second Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Budget: $385,591
Second Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Levy: $175,591
Second Year Proposed Operating Tax Rate (Uniform): $0.3811
Second Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Tax Rate (Uniform): $0.0333
Third Year Proposed Operating Budget: $2,748,440
Third Year Proposed Operating Levy: $2,088,440
Third Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Budget: $390,696
Third Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Levy: $180,696
Third Year Proposed Operating Tax Rate (Uniform): $0.3849
Third Year Proposed Equipment Replacement Tax Rate (Uniform): $0.0333
Units Share of Levy Based on Net Assessed Value:
2027 2028 2029
New Chicago $252,425 $262,384 $272,711
Lake Station 1,847,914 1,920,823 1,996,424
Total Levy $2,100,338 $2,183,207 $2,269,136
A copy of the proposed resolutions may be inspected at the New Chicago Town Hall Temporary Location at 3300 Indiana Street Door 3, Hobart, Indiana 46342. Persons seeking additional information may contact the New Chicago Town Manager’s Office.
Dated this 23rd day of December 2025.
New Chicago, Lake County, Indiana