10-05-88 Personnel & Finance and Residential Neighborhood

Home Browse Search

Joint Committee of the Personnel and Finance Residential Neighborhood Committees 10-5-88 Page 2 Councilman Slavinskas noted that based on current statistics, between $18,000 and $20,000 per year would still be going to the General Fund at the City of South Bend from payments made in lieu of taxes by the South Bend Housing Authority. In a response to Councilman Voorde, Councilman Slavinskas noted that payments by the South Bend Housing Authority had been slow in the past but currently they are paid up to date. The Council Attorney was called upon to explain whether the South Bend Housing Authority is required to make such payments. She cited the state law namely Indiana Code Section 36-7-18-25 (copy attached) which provides that a Housing Authority is exempt from all taxes and special assessments, however, in lieu of taxes or special assessments, an authority may agree to make payments to any political subdivision for services. Mr. John Leisenring noted that that was current and that the City is currently looking for the written agreement between the City and the South Bend Housing Authority. He noted that his department does not have such an agreement, however, the Legal Department is researching and looking for such a copy. He also noted that September 30 is the end of the fiscal year for the South Bend Housing Authority. Councilman Duda noted that she had contacted the County Auditor, Beverly Crone, and had requested copies of payments made by the South Bend Housing Authority. She noted that payments had been made directly to the County until 1984. She stated that Mishawaka Housing Authority pays directly to the County but in the City of South Bend's situation, payments since 1984 had been paid directly to the City of South Bend. She also stated that she would like to know how such payments are calculated in amount. In a response to a questions raised by Councilman Soderberg, it was noted that the South Bend Housing Authority had not paid for several years, however, it had made a lump sum payment for those years and is current. It was also noted that services include police, fire, streets, etc. Councilman Puzzello stated that in the Fourth District there are several scattered site homes. She stated that she believes that such an account, if established, should address all such rental units since they are all important and not just those which are a part of the "acquisition of existing housing program". She reemphasized that Mayor Kernan had promised that such homes would not fall into disrepair and that his promise alone should be sufficient. She stated that she resents that 50 homes are more important than others.