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r - Commissioner Cheryl A. Musgrave June 18, 2008 . Page 2 Second, you assert that because of HEA 1001 this project could cause the School Corp. to lose more than $1 million in its budget and finthcr could affect either taking units negatively. It is my understanding that if the project is approved and the lease signed prior to July I st, those negative impacts will be averted. However, delays in approval of the project will cause increased costs. Construction costs are rising for labor and materials and projects have lost the window of opportunity for most efficient work when students are on vacation. 'The project financing as proposed by SBCSC takes advantage of existing debt rolling off and refunding prior issuances so that there is no incremental tax impact. This is good planning on the part of the School Corp. to not add tax burden to our community. This project will upgrade and modernize the final two school buildings in its inventory of 34 buildings - these are the only two in the corporation without air conditioning and that do not meet handicap accessibility standards. Finally, I too am concerned for the taxpayers of our community. On this issue theyhave. spoken overwhelmingly in support of the projects. A remonstrance was filed against the :• financing. It was -defeated 3,133 to 469. With your experience as a County Commissioner;Yotr' know how easy it is to drum up opposition to public projects. Yet, taxpayers in our community:, .supported this proposal by more than 6:1. Our residents wain these projects to move. forward.:.:I° • am concerned that further delays in approving this financing will kill these projects that -bur,-., community needs and wants. Your quick approval of this. financing will make it possible to 0:-'.. proceed with the renovation of historic Monroe Primary Center, the construction of a new,.' , * • Marquette Primary Center (which will also facilitate a federal grant to implement a Montessori' :: School at that site), site work at Washington High School and renovations at CIay High School. • : • • As a parent of four children who attended South Bend Schools and who appreciates the. investment that our School Corporation makes in our children and in our neighborhoods, as Mayor of the City of South Bend, and as a taxpayer, I encourage you to accept the February21, 2008 recommendation of the School Property Tax Control Board and approve the financing for .these projects. I respectfully ask that you do this before July Ist so that the projects may proceed and finiher cost increases can be averted. Thank you for your consideration of these issues. Sincerely, f - _.__........- Stephen J. Luecke Mayor c: James Kapsa, Interim Superintendent Timothy Rouse, President, South Bend Common Council Rafael Morton, President, St. Joseph County Council i Mark Dobson, President, St. Joseph County Commissioners