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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />forward. Concerning the two budget bills, first the city has come through some tough <br />economic times and still face some in the future, but their attention to fiscal matters has <br />kept the City financially strong and has set a solid foundation for the next administration <br />and the next Council to be able to continue advancing the City of South Bend. The City <br />is presenting a balanced General Fund budget and Parks budget. They will have deficit <br />spending in some capital and enterprise funds and are using built up reserves to fund <br />those deficits. They nevertheless are maintaining solid reserves and have set some <br />policies in various funds for levels of reserves that they want for cash flow. He stated <br />that they are maintaining those reserves and many of those funds still have some <br />additional reserve beyond that. Revenue is project to be flat, except for a sewer increase <br />to cover the cost of Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) a long term control plan. The <br />circuit breaker impact continues to grow for the City of South Bend, $21.3 million dollars <br />projected for 2012. Revenue projection through COIT and EDIT distribution will be held <br />flat, nevertheless, in particular because of the Public Safety Loit, they have been able to <br />bring Police Department and Fire Department to full strength. They have been able to <br />maintain Park Facilities and Programs. They have funded Code demolitions, maintained <br />a robust paving program, and these are all priorities that they have heard at public <br />meetings that they have had and from the Council. He stated that they have started a new <br />Graffiti removal program again at the suggestion of the Council. He stated that they <br />believe it is moving very positively. Mayor Luecke thanked the administration and staff <br />for their excellent work as they have striven to become more efficient and effective. He <br />thanked the Council for their support for these initiatives as they move forward. He <br />thanked the tax payers and rate payers who provide the dollars that the city uses to <br />provide these services. Mayor Luecke stated that as we look to the civil city budget for <br />2012, he reminded the Council that this is based on the City’s vision, our vision of South <br />Bend which was developed in the City Plan process and has continually been reaffirmed <br />by Council and Administration, that South Bend is vibrant caring City that we celebrate <br />our diversity and vitality, we nurture our educational social cultural natural human and <br />economic resources. He stated that our City Government dedicates itself to civic <br />engagement, enjoy a high quality of life, the center of learning, foster entrepreneurship <br />that attracts and retains competitive businesses. He stated that we are a city of safe and <br />unique neighborhoods with diverse housing choices, a dynamic downtown and an <br />excellent transportation system. He stated that we are proud stewards of the natural <br />environment. Mayor Luecke stated the goals and objectives for 2012, are reinforced by <br />the establishment of City Plan and they are to strengthen our economy; to improve public <br />safety and civility, to maintain quality of life; to expand trust in City Government, to be <br />more responsive, efficient and effective, to improve the city’s infrastructure, to sustain a <br />solid financial condition and to support the city’s workforce. Mayor Luecke stated that <br />some of 2011 accomplishments were that the City withstood negative effects of circuit <br />breaker property tax reform and nevertheless were able to maintain city services in <br />particular to bring the Police and Fire Departments to full force and all of this done <br />without disruption to services to the residents. He stated that there has been economic <br />development progress highlighted by continued work at Innovation Park and Ignition <br />Park. He noted that they have found efficiency improvements in City infrastructure and <br />back office operations. He stated that in concert with City Goals and Objectives their <br />2012 budget priorities are to continue to fund economic improvement to provide <br />excellent public safety services, to provide excellent quality of life services, to be <br />transparent in our actions and to continue to improve city responsiveness efficiency and <br />effectiveness. He stated that they also continue to strive for improvement in city <br />infrastructure to maintain strong and financially stable city financial condition and to <br />value the human resource asset of all of the city employees. <br /> <br />th <br />Gregg Zientara, City Controller, 12 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson <br />Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, presented a power-point presentation. A copy of that <br />presentation can be obtained in the Office of the City Clerk. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis asked if there are any funds available in this 2012 budget <br />for the new fire house. <br /> <br />Mr. Zientara asked Councilmember Oliver Davis if he asking about a new fire house <br />replacement of Stations #5 and #9. He stated yes, included in this budget is that the City <br /> 3 <br /> <br />