12-09-91 Human Resources & Economic Development

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. Public Portion: No comment. Council Portion Mr. Slavinskas spoke in favor of the idea of a Consolidated. Building Department. He noted that every projection he had seen suggested a cost savings. However, in light of the concerns raised by the County Council when it first considered the proposal, Mr. Slavinskas questioned why the joint Building Department would not be operated as a County Department, as opposed to a City Department, and why Mishawaka was not included in the joint operation. In response to Mr. Slavinskas' s questions, Ms. Mueller indicated that. Mishawaka was taking a "look and see" approach to the idea. She expressed her opinion that if the joint County/City Building Department worked out well, it was likely that Mishawaka would consider joining forces at a later date. Mrs. DeClercq noted that the building codes throughout the State are uniform. Consequently, South. Bend, St. Joseph County, and Mishawaka implement the same building codes.. However, she did note that there are some differences in how Mishawaka operates on an administrative level. For example, Mishawaka does not avail itself of the Area Plan Commission as do the City of South Bend. and St. Joseph County. Mrs. DeClercq also noted that with the consolidation of the City and County operation, the City and. County were taking steps to bring their building ordinances into conformity with each other. Councilperson Niezgodski noted that the building ordinances and. codes are and have been uniform. Mrs. DeClercq concurred, but noted that there is some discretion as to Code Enforcement interpretation. and hence, there are some differences. However, Mrs. DeClercq noted. that the joint efforts would result in more uniform enforcement. Mrs. DeClercq also noted that the zoning ordinances of the County and the City of South Bend are different and will remain different. Finally, Mrs. DeClercq noted that the consolidation would result in a cost savings as three positions would be eliminated. She also noted. that these positions would be eliminated through retirement and attrition and not layoff. Mr. Slavinskas expressed his opinion that if Mishawaka would, eventually to vote to join the consolidated department, the budget should be with the County and not the City of South. Bend. Mrs. Duda noted that the question of why the Building Department was going to be a City department and not a County department had not been answered. Ms. Mueller noted, in response, that the City was willing to "take the bull by the horns" to get the consolidation accomplished. She also noted that there was a salary discrepancy between the. City and County and that the City salaries were slightly higher. She indicated that was determined that it would be wiser to raise the few County employees' salaries up to the level of the City salaries than vice versa.