11-05-04 Informal Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. INFORMAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL South Bend,Indiana 46601 The November 5, 2004 Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council was called to order at 11:35 p.m. by Council President Karen L. White in the Council Informal Meeting Room,pursuant to the Notice dated October 29,2004(copy attached). Persons in attendance included Council Members Kuspa, Puzzello, Kelly, Kirsits and White; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, State Representative Ryan Dvorak, State Representative-Elect Jackie Warlorski, Commissioner Mark A. Dobson, Commissioner Cynthia A. Bodle, County Council President Rafael Morton, Police Chief Thomas Fautz, City Clerk John Voorde, City Attorney Charles Leone, Executive Director of the Department of Community & Economic Development Sharon Kendall, members of the news media, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. State senators and state representatives unable to attend included: Senator Kent Adams, Senator John Broden, Senator Joseph Zakas, Representative B. Patrick Bauer, Representative Craig Fry, Representative Thomas Kromkowski, and Representative Richard Mangus. Council President White thanked everyone for coming to join the South Bend Common Council in an Informal meeting and encouraged everyone to partake in the sandwich lunches. She noted that working luncheons of this type began when Council Member Charlotte D. Pfeifer was Council President a few years ago. She noted that it provides an opportunity to listen and share concerns important to our communities. An introduction of everyone present then took place. Council President White suggested that the time be best used to talk about critical issues facing our community,beginning with the topic of property taxes. Commissioner Dobson noted that the installment plan will help some of the taxpayers. However, as a realtor, he sees owner-occupied real estate in South Bend "falling off the table". He has properties priced below their market value, and they are still not being sold. Persons love the homes but are not willing to face their property taxes. County-wide rental properties average about 37%;howler South Bend's rental rate is much higher. State Representative-Elect Warlorski stated that during the campaign, property taxes were a huge issue among the property owners. Legislation which would offer homestead credit for owners of multiply income-producing properties may be a possibility since she sees them as small business owners. Commissioner Bodle noted that she had a short discussion with the County Treasurer and that approximately 900 individuals have applied for the payment plan as of November 3rd. November 22nd is the deadline and they anticipate being swamped with requests. She noted that state law restricts this procedure to only persons with homeowner exceptions. She believes that some type of additional relief needs to be addressed,since property taxes is one the biggest if not the biggest issue. Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council November 5,2004---Page 1