September City Talk Now

September 2020

Introducing Home Team Valpo

The City of Valparaiso is helping to launch a new nonprofit organization created to assist qualifying homeowners in maintaining their homes. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Porter County, Home Team Valpo will be city-inspired and volunteer-driven. The goal of Home Team Valpo is to lift up individuals and neighborhoods, improving quality of life, one home at a time. Home Team Valpo will help families make their homes safer and more comfortable through the assistance of volunteers. The new nonprofit has scheduled an October 24 Fall Cleanup Event as their first event and is seeking homeowners who need work completed, skilled and unskilled workers to volunteer their time, plus financial contributions and donations of new building materials. Learn more.

Valparaiso Awards 16 Neighborhood Grants

The City of Valparaiso has awarded 16 new grants in the 2020 Neighborhood Improvement Grant program. The grant program was created to encourage neighborhood unity and support community improvements. In total, $132,000 was awarded in this third annual grant release, bringing the total to more than $320,000 in grant funding awarded since the program was created in 2018. The projects funded this year include enhanced signage, neighborhood tree plantings, sidewalk improvements, bus stop benches, playground equipment and more. Combined with neighborhood matches, more than $157,000 will be invested into the community. The neighborhoods receiving grants in 2020 include Audubon Estates, Banta, Beauty Creek Estates, Beauty Creek Villas, Central, College Hill, Essex Park, Forest Park, Hawthorne, Jefferson Park North Townhomes, Jessee-Pifer, Kingsridge, Keystone Commons, Mistwood, Sierra, and Windsor Park. Read the full press release and funding summary.

HOA Academy October 28

The Community Engagement Department, in partnership with City Attorney, Patrick Lyp, will be hosting a free HOA Academy on Wednesday, October 28 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. This session will be offered in person at City Hall and via Zoom for residents that have an interest in learning more about how homeowners associations function, laws and terms associated with HOA's and how to start or regroup an HOA that may have disbanded. Learn more about this event and please register in advance so we can monitor attendance for safe distancing.

2021 Budget Process

Clerk-Treasurer Taylor introduced the 2021 proposed budget to City Council on September 14 for a public hearing. Since we often get questions about the city's budget process and how funding decisions are made, we wanted to remind our readers of the work that goes into this process annually. Review these Frequently Asked Questions for a detailed breakdown of the process. The 2021 proposed budget was allowed a 4% increase based on municipal tax levies which totals $37,638,926 compared to our 2020 budget of $36,159,476. View the 2021 proposed budget summary to learn more. Despite many constraints, the City has been able to save almost $4.4 million in a “rainy day” fund for future emergencies as well as maintain a “AA” bond rating – one of the highest in our region. For questions or more information about the city's budget process, contact the Clerk-Treasurer's Office at City Hall.

Fire Department Launches Performance Dashboard

Valparaiso Fire Department (VFD) has launched an interactive performance dashboard to measure key indicators for incident counts, response times and goals met. The content is updated at the beginning of each month and provides both monthly and year-to-date snapshots, providing ongoing measurement of baseline performance and insight into VFD's service. The dashboard includes a profile on the Valparaiso community with metrics for evaluating community risks that can help identify populations or locations that have the potential to frequently need emergency response resources.

Transit Extends Free Rides

Valpo Transit recently announced that the ChicaGo Dash and South Shore Connect services will continue to be offered free of charge through the end of the year. This is supported by funds appropriated by Congress to provide critical aid to public transit systems during COVID-19. As a reminder, the ChicaGo Dash is an express coach bus to and from Chicago each weekday and the South Shore Connect is an express bus from Valapraiso's Brown Street Station to and from the Dune Park South Shore Station. All services are clean and safe, following CDC and HHS guidance. Check out this recent Moment With The Mayor and our website to learn more.

Community Resource Events with HealthLinc

HealthLinc has teamed up with local organizations, including the City of Valparaiso, to host Community Resource Events in Valparaiso's neighborhood parks. Community members are invited to attend these "grab and go" events to learn about HealthLinc's services, get a quick check up with the HealthLinc mobile clinic, pick up giveaways - including a free carbon monoxide detector from Valparaiso Fire Department - food, and more.

September 23 from 3 - 5 p.m. at Kirchhoff Park
September 30 from 3 - 5 p.m. at ValPLAYso
October 14 from 4 - 6 p.m. at HealthLinc with mobile food pantry

Reminder - Lift Up Valpo Rally Cap Challenge

Want to support local restaurants and retail businesses? Participate in Valparaiso Events' Rally Cap Challenge to earn your cap and show your community pride! With every purchase made at a participating location, you can earn a Rally Card. Once you've collected five Rally Cards, visit the Valparaiso Events office at 150 W Lincolnway and turn them in to receive your very own Lift Up Valpo Rally Cap.

Neighborhood Watch

The playground at Banta Center was in need of new equipment, so Valpo Parks teamed up with the Banta Neighborhood Association to seek input on what type of structure would be best for nearby park-goers. The neighborhood voted on the Rise Above structure which offers a variety of physical, sensory and social activities to keep kids engaged.

Jessee-Pifer received a 2019 Neighborhood Grant to go towards park improvements. Check out the newly resurfaced basketball court! Look for new fencing, signage, hoop and court features coming soon. Thanks to JP neighbors and Valpo Parks for their time on these projects (and to Jen Grawcock for sharing this picture)!