Mediation is underway in the dispute between Lake County, Cedar Lake, and Schererville officials regarding their consolidation of the 911 services available to those in the county. After one day of meeting, no resolution has been reached.

County and municipal officials, as well as the mediator, Joseph Simeri of Simeri Arbitration and Mediation in South Bend, are attempting to reach an agreement allowing the entities to work together. This session was the first attempt between Lake County Consolidated Dispatch operation and Southcom dispatch that could potentially bring the county into compliance with Indiana state law. The law provides for two dispatch centers, but one agreement signed by all 17 units involved. Schererville and Cedar Lake created a separate agreement and have yet to sign the county agreement.

The president of the Lake County Board of Commissioners and chairman of the Lake County Public Safety Communications Commission had no comment and referred reporters to the county’s attorney, who reported both sides met from 9 am until 4 pm without a resolution. She did calls the discussions “substantive,” but noted mediation is suspended for the time being. Others involved called the mediation session productive, even if not complete.

Following the consolidation of the public safety answering points in 2014, Cedar Lake and Schererville opted to not participate and form a second center. In December, both municipalities sued Lake County for their share of the $2.3 million in 911 phone fees collected from cell phone and landline users. The mediation is an attempt to prevent the lawsuit from going to trial.