CROWN POINT | Lake County officials are set to meet next week to discuss some accomplishments and the work that remains to implement cost-cutting measures suggested as part of the Good Government Initiative.

Justin Kitsch, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., said Tuesday the Good Government committee will hold its first meeting in months at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the NiSource headquarters in Merrillville.

James Wieser, chairman of the committee, said the meeting falls within two days of the first anniversary of a call for county government to undertake radical change.

The Good Government Initiative is an effort by the county's largest corporate taxpayers -- BP, Mittal Steel, NiSource, U.S. Steel and Whiteco -- to reduce public services costs.

A 1,059-page study was released in February 2007 recommending the elimination at least 72 government jobs, the consolidation or cooperation among several departments to reduce duplication of services, and other cost-cutting measures. The report suggested local government savings of more than $5 million could be achieved.

County officials are preparing responses to the study indicating they have accomplished some goals by reducing the number of take-home cars among employees and consolidating some agencies.

County commissioners said last month their changes will amount to savings of $461,000.