Six people are vying for three at large seats on the Porter County Council.

With a foundation already in place to handle the proceeds from the 2007 sale of the county hospital, the candidates, including three incumbents, are looking ahead to how proceeds from the foundation might be used for the county.

Republicans Travis Gearhart, Jeff Larson and Richard Parks face incumbent Democrats Sylvia Graham, Bob Poparad and Dan Whitten, the council president, in the Tuesday general election.

Priorities for the funding include public safety, roads, parks, updating county facilities, economic development and other quality of life matters.

The foundation, created by unanimous vote of the council and the Board of Commissioners, was set up earlier this year and holds $147 million. A new law that took effect in July 2015 about how the money could be invested allowed the county to establish the foundation.

Gearhart, of Chesterton, previously served part of a term on the Hebron Town Council before job responsibilities took him to Wisconsin. He now works in commercial field sales for Luke Oil.

In the short term, he would like to sit on the proceeds, even though returns are coming in at a higher rate than officials expected.

“I would much rather be conservative,” he said.

His priority for the funds would be infrastructure countywide, which he said should be “a No. 1 priority,” and his plans would include putting together a panel of representatives from the county as well as cities and towns to discuss the funds.

“I think that would be a really positive way for everyone to have a voice on how that money is spent,” he said.

Larson, of Liberty Township, is a small business owner and building trades teacher. He is concerned about protecting the money.

“My concern with that whole situation with the foundation is, I don't want that to end up as someone's pet project money,” he said, adding the proceeds should be used for infrastructure, including roads and drainage, and economic development.

He is against using any of the proceeds to shore up budget shortfalls, though since public safety is one of Larson's priorities, he would be willing to spend some of the funds to upgrade 911 communications to an 800 MHz radio system.

“We've waited a long time to do these things in the county, and I want to make sure everyone has their say,” he said.

Parks, of Valparaiso, is president of the hospitality division of White/Peterman Properties. He would like to see county officials put together a comprehensive plan of how the money should be spent.

That plan should include the county's own facilities.

“The county has neglected buildings for a long time. We have capital expenditure opportunities everywhere,” he said, adding the county needs to evaluate its buildings, something already being undertaken by facilities director Matt Stechly, “so we can provide the best services to our taxpayers.”

Funds also could be used for the 800 MHz upgrade, infrastructure improvements and economic development, he said.

“We have a phenomenal workforce here,” he said. “In economic development, you can spend a dollar to make four.”

Parks also wants the council to hold regular workshops with different county departments for better efficiency.

Graham, of Center Township, is a retired registered nurse seeking her third term on the council. Part of the interest from the foundation should be reinvested to keep the fund going in perpetuity, she said.

She, too, wants some of the interest to go for the 800 MHz upgrade for public safety.

“I think if it's needed, then we have to do it,” she said, adding the upgrade could cost $9 million.

Interest should be used only for the county's operating expenses in an emergency, she said, adding she would rather the money go toward job growth and capital projects.

Those projects include upgrades at the Porter County Expo Center, outlined in a feasibility study done a couple of years ago, and county parks, including Aukiki Park north of Kouts and an education center at Sunset Hill Farm.

Poparad, a Burns Harbor resident and small business owner, previously served two terms as the District 1 representative on the council and is seeking his second term in an at large seat.

Some of the money should be used for capital projects, he said, and some should go into a rainy day fund for emergency. Capital projects include county parks projects as well as public safety, including a shooting range for the Porter County Sheriff's Department.

He also suggested a bond issue for upgrades at the North County Government Complex in Portage, and said creating the foundation was the “first of many steps” to ensure the financial future of the county.

“I think we've done a pretty good job of keeping taxes low and keeping services up,” he said, noting the county's thoughtful approach to the foundation.

Whitten, of Porter Township, is a bankruptcy attorney with a practice in Portage with his wife, Stacey. He has served three terms on the council and is its president.

Whitten said the council should avoid using the proceeds for operating expenses, instead using the money for “those things that make Porter County a better place to work and live.”

That includes county building upgrades, including considering the future of the North Count Government Complex, public safety and setting aside money for grants for the county's nonprofits for special projects.

The county already has partnered with the sheriff's department for a safe schools program, is upgrading its parks, constructing a new animal shelter and will pave more than 25 miles of roads this year, he said.

“All of those things my constituents have told me are important to them for the quality of life,” he said.

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.