Angry taxpayers prompt security concerns at Porter County building

While a court security officer was appointed to the building Thursday, Assessor Jon Snyder said that came at his behest after he faced angry taxpayers Monday, which he called "the worst day I remember having in my six years here." Tax payments are due in the treasurer's office by May 10.

"Monday was a very difficult day here. There was a lot of screaming by angry taxpayers and they were very upset about the drainage fee and the school referendum," he said, noting the county's new stormwater fee for unincorporated portions of the county and the two referendums for Valparaiso schools are reflected on the new tax bills.

"It was just like getting beaten all day. I started to think about (employee) safety. You don't know who's going to pop off in the county and do something stupid," he said.

The administration building, unlike the courthouse, does not have a dedicated security staff, though there is security and a sign-in sheet for late afternoon and evening meetings and events that continue after the building closes at 4:30 p.m.

"The problem is, we've never really had full-time security" at the administration building, said Board of Commissioners President John Evans, R-North. "We've had a number of concerns. Obviously, everyone has concerns about safety with what's going on in the world today."

The need for safety also came to light in August, when a Westville man went into the treasurer's office to pay his property taxes and complained his assessment went up almost $120. When a treasurer's office employee suggested he take up his dispute with the assessor's office, Valparaiso police reported he said, "Maybe I should just bring a gun back and shoot them," before leaving a short time later.

Snyder reached out this week to the Board of Commissioners, who oversee county properties, about getting security in the building through the end of tax time, and got the go-ahead to contact the sheriff's department.

The question of who would pay for the security came up, Snyder said.

"I was asked to pay for it (Thursday) morning and I was like, no," he said.

For now, Evans said payment for the officer will come from the sheriff's hourly employee budget and/or the sheriff's overtime budget. "We will make it happen," he said, adding security also is necessary because some people bring cash in to pay their tax bill in the treasurer's office.

Moving forward, Evans said he talked to Sheriff David Reynolds about approaching the County Council at budget time in the fall and asking for a full- or part-time officer for the administration building to be put in the sheriff's department budget.

The administration building has had security in the past at tax time.

"When people are irate, you have to have someone there to protect employees," Evans said.

Having an officer in the halls helps employees feel safer, Snyder said.

"Any time we've had security in the past it calms everyone down. It makes employees feel better," he said.