West Porter Township fire protection talks collapse for second time in nine months

Talks to create a West Porter Township Fire Protection Territory have collapsed for the second time in nine months. The West Porter Township Fire Protection District and Winfield Township withdrew from discussions, citing issues of trust and control regarding the proposed board's structure. The WPTFPD Board unanimously voted to suspend negotiations, stating that the proposed board composition favored the town of Winfield and did not represent West Porter Township residents fairly. Previous discussions had failed in March 2023, and new talks began in July 2023. Concerns were raised about the budget for the proposed fire territory, with claims that it was significantly underfunded. Some board members expressed a willingness to restart negotiations, while others voiced skepticism about the process and leadership. The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday.