11-27-18 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK models of that in our area that we might want to think about making it happen in those neighborhoods. Committee Chair White then opened the floor to members of the public. Mr. Bognar stated, I do have to leave but I have three(3) very different questions. First(1St)of all, we're calling ourselves West Downtown. The last meeting of NICTD, I think it's important to note, the South Shore money, the major government money, has not been approved. If it was approved tomorrow by the Federal Government, it is still two (2)or two(2)and a half years away. There are all sorts of studies that are being done so, the fact is, the South Shore is nowhere near starting anything and there is no evidence they have it will be approved even though they are going to try and do that. I know Dave out there wants that extension down into a different part of Indiana. I think it's important for Council to know that even if there was money available for our part, it isn't going to happen until the government comes up with the money. Is that a fair statement to make? Dr. Mueller replied,Yeah, I think they were hoping for the double-tracking project to be approved. There are three(3)projects,to clarify. There is the West Lake project which is the extension to the farther northwest Indiana and down south off the main line. There is the double-tracking over in Michigan City that saves a lot of time for everyone east of that station. Then there is the relocation project that is particular to where our station should be in our community. The double-tracking and the relocation projects were connected, in a sense, with a preliminary understanding between the County and the Redevelopment Commission about considering trying to figure out the relocation issue. At the time,it was conceived, and people had been driving it to be just to the west side of the airport. The County would take care of their share of the double-tracking. Our County share is $18.5 million. The four(4) counties had to put that in and the State has a share. Both are a quarter of the cost. And then fifty percent (50%) is supposed to come from the Federal Government. Mr. Bognar continued, My second (2nd) question is in regard to your mention of professional services. I do know last year money for the Redevelopment Commission went to an Engineer that would specifically work on these kinds of projects. When you read an awful lot about TIF throughout the county, one(1) of the big moves now is professional services. When I look at a lot of these TIF districts, we see a lot of numbers for professional services which probably means it is outside consultants. Have we thought about expanding internally with our own internal people? We have jobs in the City and we would be able to do this and it would get more people involved. There is so much work that needs to be done and why are we not keeping it internal and hiring the best people internally? We would have much more control over it. That is one (1) question. The second (2nd) question I wanted to ask is in regards to my concern about two (2) of the TIFs and they are River East and River West. One (1) of the questions I wanted to ask came about when I was looking at, for example, the River East residential area. There are projections that go out to 2022 of property tax revenues. For example, in 2018 it is $4 million. In 2019 it is $4.4 million. 2020 is $4.3 million. 2021 is $5 million. 2022 is $5.6 million. Those are all listed as estimates in hoping it is going to be there. Rosemary Mandrici is across the hallway here discussing matters. You can't get any information out of her as to estimates on property taxes. How are these numbers figured out? My concern is it shows quite a bit of debt in these two (2) locations. I'm looking at what the gateway had and if we aren't going to be able to grow the property tax base, how are we getting these estimates? No one can seemingly get any estimates out of that particular office. Do EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 1574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 17