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