Schools: Dune Acres is a part of the Duneland School District, which is a consolidation of Westchester, Liberty, Jackson and a part of Pine School Townships. Taxes for schools are levied by a school board, which is elected by the whole district in May during even years. The school tax is part of the property tax bill. Buses transport Dune Acres elementary pupils to Yost School in Porter, 5-6 graders to Westchester Intermediate School in Chesterton, 7-8 graders to Chesterton Middle School and 9-12 grade students to Chesterton High School. Kindergartners have special bus schedules to Yost School. The school system provides special education for those unable to attend regular classes. School bus transportation is also provided for grades K-8 at St. Patrick's Catholic School.

Libraries: Westchester Township Public Library serves residents at its Chesterton Branch located at 200 West Indiana in Chesterton and at its Porter Branch located at 100 Francis Street in Porter. The Westchester Township Library Board levies a library tax, which is part of the county property tax bill.

Shopping and Services: There are no businesses in Dune Acres, but the town of Chesterton is just a few minutes away where you can find stores and services for much of your needs. A factory outlet mall is about 10 miles to the east in Michigan City.

Electric and Gas: Electric and gas is furnished through Northern Indiana Public Service Company. Call (800) 464-7726 to arrange for service.

Water: Water is furnished by Indiana-American Water Company. Call (800) 492-8373 to arrange for service.

Rubbish and Garbage Collection: Homeowners may arrange for rubbish and garbage removal with Able Disposal Service, telephone (219) 926-1046, or Allied Waste Services, telephone (219) 987-5313.

The Porter County Solid Waste District District has established many programs to benefit both the environment and the residents of Porter County, including drop-off battery, tire and electronics recycling, composting and household hazardous waste.

Telephone, DSL Internet: Local residential telephone and DSL internet service in Dune Acres are provided by Verizon. Call (800) 483-4000 to order service. The local Verizon PhoneMart is located in the Portage Commons Shopping Center, 5908 US Highway 6, Portage; telephone (219) 762-8563. Comcast offers digital voice telephone service via the same cable that is used for television and high speed internet. Call (800) 266-2278 to order service.

Cable Television, High Speed Internet: Cable television and high speed cable internet service is provided by Comcast. Call (800) 266-2278 to order service.

Mail. Mail addressed to you should be addressed to your street address, Dune Acres, IN 46304. Our post office is located in Chesterton at 1070 S Calumet Road. If you need a new mailbox post, contact Ray Tittle.

Fire Protection: Dune Acres has contracted with the fire department of the Town of Porter for our fire protection services. Their station is just a few minutes from Dune Acres. In event of a large fire, the Porter fire department will call upon equipment from other neighboring towns.

Mineral Springs Road Railroad Crossing. Trains are not permitted to block Mineral Springs Road for more than 10 minutes. Click here to read the State of Indiana Code governing this rule and for information as to whom to call when there are violations.

Daily Newspapers: The following newspapers cover Dune Acres news: The Chesterton Tribune, The Times, The Post-Tribune. These papers, plus the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and the New York Times are delivered to subscribers in Dune Acres.

Airport: The Gary/Chicago International Airport is the closest airport to Dune Acres. It offers convenient and free parking.  Friends of Gary/Chicago Airport is a grassroots volunteer group, organized to support the use and development of the Gary/Chicago International Airport.

Voting: Voter registration is required for general elections and primaries. A voter must be 18 years old before the general election, a U.S. citizen, and have lived in the precinct for thirty days. Registration must be done at least 30 days before the election or primary. Registration forms can be obtained at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office (closest are in Valparaiso, Portage or Michigan City), the Voter Registration office in Valparaiso, the Clerk/Treasurer, the Town Democrat and/or Republican Precinct Committeepersons, or you may download and print the form by clicking here. Dune Acres is the 6th Precinct of Westchester Township in Porter County. Voters cast their ballots at the Dune Acres Clubhouse.

Voters expecting to be absent from the county on Election Day may vote in person at the Voter's Registration Office at the Court House in Valparaiso anytime from 30 days before the Saturday before the Election Day. They may secure an application for absentee voter's ballot from the Voter's Registration Office or from any Field Registration Officer and vote by mail. Precinct Committeeperson, Democrat and/or Republican, are Field Registration Officers.

Constituent Services: The federal government is immense. When dealing with its many departments and agencies, you may feel caught in a bureaucratic nightmare. Our congressman, Pete Visclosky, may be of help. Click here to view and print out a Constituent Fact Sheet to be completed by you and sent to his Merrillville office. A case worker will then be assigned to ensure that your concerns are addressed in a prompt and satisfactory manner.

Access Indiana: Access Indiana is a web site developed by the State of Indiana to provide a wealth of information about the Hoosier State, including laws, tourism, licensing,  finance, education, and census. You will leave the Dune Acres web site and go to Access Indiana if you click here.

Access to Public Information: A fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government is that government is the servant of the people and not their master. Accordingly, it is public policy of the State of Indiana and the Town of Dune Acres that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees. Indiana Code 5-14-3 and the Handbook on Indiana's Public Access Laws describe your right to inspect and copy Dune Acres' public records. For additional information, or to make arrangements to access Dune Acres' public records, please contact the Town Clerk-Treasurer.

Copyright © 2002-2008. All rights reserved. Town of Dune Acres, Indiana

Town Administrative Office: 1 East Road; Dune Acres, IN 46304; Phone (219) 787-1900; Fax (219) 787-8113

Security Office: 1450 N Mineral Springs Road; Dune Acres, IN 46304; Phone: (219) 787-8800