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SO U THO jA 11 r October L� ' �" ' 2009 UAyntr Sr�pkF�v 1. ,Cueckr Letter from the Mayor How we're living within our means THIS MONTH... Dear Friends and Neighbors, Mayor's Letter By the time you read this, the South Bend Common Council will have adopted Morris Performing Arts Center the City's 2010 budget. The past two years have marked the best and worst of times. Halloween Green Tips Cell Phone Ordinance We have enjoyed many successes, including the development of Eddy Street Commons Leaf Pickup and the emergence of our two -site state - certified technology park (consisting of Inno- New Wilson Pavilion at Potawatomi Park vation Park at Notre Dame and Ignition Park). Yet the budget challenges brought on by N N N Arts Cafe the property -tax caps have been the greatest during my time as mayor. :- Nevertheless, I am happy to point out the decisions we've made to reduce City` W41;r spending to live within our means. For the most part, this has not resulted in a reduc- " A tion of services. Instead, we have made targeted cuts that push our departments to find ltpf - new levels of efficiency through innovation, use of technology and common sense. This month, I want to look at the budget cuts made by the City. = - The biggest impact has been the reduction in the number of City employees. Next year, we will have 56 fewer full-time positions with 1,134 staff in all depart- . ments. That means, since 2000, the City of South Bend has cut 206 positions. This represents a 15 percent reduction from the 1,341 employees we had just nine years ago. s_ We also have made other reductions in personnel costs, our largest single expense. I ; • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • have voluntarily taken a 5 percent pay cut, along with all Department Heads and most directors. Many other City employees will experience the second consecutive year of • pay freezes. We have streamlined our health benefit options and reduced expenditures. • • • • New tax revenue has helped us preserve our public safety efforts and parks • • facilities. Yet the new revenue is insufficient to allow other City departments to avoid ; • the full impact of the property tax caps. Besides personnel reductions we have taken a • • • • variety of approaches to a balanced budget. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • • Our Community and Economic Development staff is consolidating from two . Upcoming Performances • • sites into the County -City Building. Our Public Works department is shifting personnel • November • to alternate funding sources. The Morris Performing Arts Center and Palais Royale ; 2 Celtic Thunder • Ballroom have renegotiated contracts while striving toward becoming fully self- • 14 South Bend Symphony Orches- supporting — a situation unheard of in similar public facilities. The Mayor's Office has tra, "Signature Strings" with cut funding for state and federal lobbyists. Take -home cars have been eliminated in . Euclid Quartet • • 20 Comedians Bob and Tom • some departments, such as my office, while we are working toward reductions or • • greater cost - sharing where they are still in use. We've restructured our crossing guard • December program, eliminating little -used intersections and ending benefits for part-time work. • 5 -6 South Bend Symphony Orchestra • One of my regrets is that these tough financial times have led to the end of ; Presents "Home for the Holidays" • valuable programs and services. Over a decade, we invested nearly $9 million into our • with Anita Johnson Commercial Corridors initiative, improving the attractiveness of key entryways into • 11 -13 Southold Dance Theatre Presents • South Bend. We no longer have the resources to assist community -based social service ; The Nutcracker • providers, including private after- school programs. Our Good Neighbors program al- • 18 Jerry Seinfeld, 8pm lowed for 50 -50 matches between property owners and the City for new curbs, side- 0 • walks and driveway approaches. Each of these ended last year along with lamppost and • 31— January 4th Sesame Street Live • • historic streetlight efforts. But for every program cut, more have been saved through • New events are always being • innovation and new efficiencies. Next month, I'll highlight how South Bend has pio- ; added, so check out MorrisCen- • neered in this approach. • ter. org for the latest on the Hot- test Tickets in Town, or call the • Sincerely, /'/�j • Morris Box Office at 235.9190. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 00 I