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section is historical data comparing the past three years' actual results and the prior year's budget <br />with the 2006 Budget (Operating and Capital). Financial trends are outlined through the use of <br />graphs. I'rajected changes in fund balances for the budgeted year can be found in this report. <br />Included in this section is a multi-year forecast ofboth revenue and expenditures. This has been <br />provided to give the reader a better understanding of some of the financial trends the City is <br />anticipating. The section ends with a summary of personnel staffing levels for the budget year <br />and the prior two years. <br />Section C - Prograrn/Performance Based Budget by Department This section is the <br />backbone of the City's 2006 Budget. You will find this section of the budget document <br />significantly enhanced from previous years. To develop this section, all City Departments <br />embarked upon intensive training aimed at developing skills to better measure performance <br />outcomes through development of program logic models. This training was primarily aimed at <br />enhancing the City's Performance Based Budget process while providing a tool to help programs <br />improve services. The logic model concept includes the identification of desired program <br />outcomes {representing departmental goals and objectives) and performance indicators that <br />attempt to measure the success of our programs. This process will help City employees <br />determine whether or not the resources they expend actually produce the benefits desired for their <br />customers. This entire concept is more fully explained in the introduction included in Section C. <br />Although this is an ongoing process, we believe our efforts during the past three years have <br />allowed us to take a giant step forward in improving accountability and helping us determine if <br />the City's programs really make a difference in floe lives of the people that live and work in this <br />community. <br />Section D - Ca ital /Debt This section contains a summary of the City's 2006 Capital Budget <br />along with an explanation of the procedures and the timing of the Capital Budget approval <br />process. The City's multi-year capital improvement plan along with detailed descriptions of the <br />plan's major projects are also included. A summary of the City's long term debt, legal debt <br />limits and a debt service schedule complete this section. <br />Section E - Glossary This document ends with a glossary to assist the reader with terminology <br />and acronyms that have been used throughout this book. <br />The following pages of the transmittal letter provide summary information on this community <br />and its surrounding area. Also summarized are the key financial and budgetary controls with <br />which the City is required to comply. The remainder is a discussion of the key issues the City is <br />facing and their impact on current and future budgets. A detailed outline of the City's budget <br />schedule has also been included in this letter. <br />GENERAL INFORMATION <br />The City of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, and is the fourth largest <br />city in the state. Its 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census population of 107,789 classifies it as a "City <br />of the Second Class" under Indiana statues (cities with a population of 35,000 to 250,000). It <br />operates with a mayor as chief executive and anine-member City Common Council composed of <br />six members elected from districts and three members at-large. <br />iii <br />