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Mr. Murphy stated for everyone to know we put in our budget the estimate done on September <br />2nd, 2016 which is the number that uses the most reserves. It is a little over $2 million. <br />Ms. Etter stated in her opinion she would suggest they plan for a little more. <br />Vice Committee Chair White stated we need to know that as we move forward with the budget <br />process beyond just a place holder. <br />Mr. Agostino stated he does want to address that a little because it relates to the collective <br />bargaining. Right now the County wants to get some feedback from South Bend and Mishawaka <br />because there are some costs with the collective bargaining that can be funded next year out of <br />the budget that the County has but it will force us for 2018 to find more money to cover it. The <br />employees have ratified the agreement but the County is holding off their vote until we see what <br />the input is from South Bend and Mishawaka. The interlocal agreement allows for $200,000 <br />assessment to come in among the parties for capital. That money did not get accurately <br />appropriated from 2015. There was no assessment for 2016. That $200,000 is there and the <br />County Council may be willing to use that money to help cover the costs of collective bargaining <br />for 2017 if there is support from that for the partners. That does put us in a position in 2018 to <br />find where the money is. The employees did back off on their salary amounts and this is not an <br />issue on how much money they are making but it is working conditions. In the negotiations that <br />was the focus. We have some very dedicated people working and their attitudes have been very <br />good. The concern is if we don't ratify this agreement, what does that do for morale. It may <br />trigger more turmoil and then you have more overtime again. Everyone wants to see the <br />agreement ratified for the benefit of all the residents and a message from the South Bend Council <br />to the County Council would go a long way. It is not necessary but it may be helpful. South Bend <br />has been very vocal that our employees are taken care of, especially the South Bend legal <br />employees. <br />Council President Scott sated he is invested that the quality of life for these employees is good so <br />that they are not burnt out and leaving. That is why this is so important and if collective <br />bargaining gets it done then that is great. He stated his frustration is the quality of life and the <br />entire financial nuts and bolts of the agreement. He stated he doesn't like the governmental <br />structure of it. The Operations Board trying to work together, and then the three (3) head entities <br />working together, and that just does not seem like an effective system. <br />Mr. Agostino stated that is a valid point and about twelve (12) years ago there was the attempt to <br />do it and they looked at Elkhart who had a different setup. We tried to get the state law changed <br />but it never did. There is room for discussing different types of structures that function <br />differently, right now we are tripping over ourselves. <br />Council President Scott stated it is so important because there are lives at stake here. He asked <br />once the center is completely up and running, is this thing a neutral revenue or will it lose money <br />year after year. <br />Mr. Croymans stated he can only speak hypothetically but the State minimum payout is the $1.7 <br />million. The State has realized that the disbursement of the funds isn't fair and they have put a <br />12 <br />