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+®CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> was using because at the time it was working. I have to be honest, it has remained low and <br /> affordable. We have upped it fifty cents ($0.50)here and there every two (2) or three(3)years but <br /> have not really toyed with it because it was a system that, in our minds, wasn't broken. We also <br /> had so many other things that needed to be addressed after we took over, namely, getting <br /> reaccredited and getting a Master Plan in place. That is not to say it couldn't be considered in the <br /> future, it just was not something in the mix when we took over. <br /> Councilmember Teshka followed up, Last question, you've got donors in the wings? When you <br /> look at what you've raised so far, there is more out there but you have to do some of these things <br /> before you get that money, correct? <br /> Ms. Dean replied, Correct. It has to be timed and stepped and that is why we created the Master <br /> Plan and phased it. If someone just handed me $40 million today and said I would like to do your <br /> entire Master Plan, I would say that's great but it would take ten (10) years. We have to take all <br /> kinds of things into consideration. Next year will be a down year. Attendance will be down. <br /> Entrance construction is hard and so that is why it is stepped the way it is. We know one (1) has <br /> to come before the other in order to make sure we do right by our community, our guests, and our <br /> staff. There are definitely donors in the wings. That $3.5 million we raised is strictly for capital. <br /> That is not what we are raising now on the operational side, general donations or special events <br /> since 2014. I'm happy to get you those numbers at some point but we've worked hard to balance <br /> that as well. I'm happy to say we've had significant operational increases to offset additional costs <br /> for staffing and all those other things as well. <br /> Councilmember Teshka stated, Thank you. I think it's important for the public to recognize that <br /> this has been a thoughtful process. <br /> Councilmember Broden stated, I appreciate all the information. The audit recommendation from <br /> the last accreditation I think is missing from the public record. I heard you say there is some carry <br /> over from that. <br /> Ms. Dean interjected, There are things they commented on. And just so you understand, some of <br /> the comments are not actually noted in our AZA inspection. Verbal comments, though they are <br /> not noted in writing, have to be addressed. Patron fencing was a verbal note. So not absolutely <br /> everything is actually documented throughout the three (3) inspections. We do a lot of verbal and <br /> mental noting and then we go back and make those lists. <br /> Councilmember Broden followed up, I think seeing that audit would be beneficial. And am I <br /> correct in my understanding there is a public hearing on that? <br /> Ms. Dean replied, It is not public. Actually, none of it is public. The AZA inspection is not public <br /> as well as the hearing. The hearing takes place at AZA. That is a private hearing done with the <br /> AZA Board,the accreditation commission and several other people involved. We either pass, fail, <br /> or are tabled. Normally they will come and do the inspection and then leave you a list of <br /> information you need to address before the hearing. They will also leave you with a list of things <br /> you need to address at the hearing. We would send our packet of information in Auger and then <br /> go before a huge room of people in September. They look at everything and they ask for all sorts <br /> of information. <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building I 227W Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 1 TTD574.235.5567 lwww.southbendin.gov <br /> 13 <br />