Lake Commissioners balk at $16K fuel pump repair bill from Sheriff’s Department

Lake County Commissioners bristled at a request to pay a bill in excess of $16,000 for fuel pump repair in the Lake County Sheriff’s garage after the work had already been complete at their Wednesday meeting.

The body said there was not much it could do regarding payment of the bill even though Chief of Police Vince Balbo did not follow the proper procedure for making an emergency purchase.

Commissioner Jerry Tippy, R-Schererville, said when people do work for the county, officials have no choice but to pay the bills even if the proper procedures were not followed.

“We are obligated to pay the bill,” Tippy said.

Commissioners’ Attorney Matthew Fech said the body would need to declare an emergency to properly approve payment of the approximately $16,314 for fuel pump repair to Northern Indiana Mechanical, the company that performed the work.

“This is a situation where the computer was failing,” Fech said, adding the system also needed software upgrades.

Fech said he has spoken to Balbo about the proper procedures that should have been taken when an emergency purchase is necessary and the chief understands. Balbo could not immediately be reached Wednesday afternoon for comment.

Commissioner Michael Repay, D-Hammond, said if the sheriff’s department had just followed procedure, the purchase would not even have been an issue.

“If it’s an emergency, it should be declared as an emergency,” Repay said following the meeting.

When an emergency purchase is needed, the department head has to notify the commission president, Repay, and seek prices from two companies. Both companies do not need to respond, but at least two must be asked for pricing. Repay said the requirement is statutory.

“They just didn’t follow procedure,” he said.

Sheriff Oscar Martinez said in a statement via email that as problems with the fuel pumps came to light over the past several months, the department sent multiple emails to the commissioners advising then and updating them on the situation.

“We have followed procedure during each step of this process. This is one more example of how commissioners’ continuing delay tactics jeopardize the ability of county government to serve the people who live and work in Lake County. It’s a deliberate attempt to sabotage our operations,” Martinez said.

The original fuel pumps had been in place since 1975. The computer system governing the pumps was on the verge of shutting down if the repairs had not been made. The fuel pumps supply fuel to almost every county department.

“At the end of the day, the fuel pumps need to be repaired. It’s the responsibility of the commissioners to make sure county property operates efficiently,” Martinez said.