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The Council now reflects a broad base of the <br />community, including members who must hold jobs in <br />the working world. Council work necessitates time <br />off work -- uncompensated; yet it is important that the <br />Council continue to reflect members from all walks of <br />life. By adequately compensating members of the <br />Council, we are assuring that all citizens can afford <br />to participate in City government, not just those who <br />are independently wealthy. The City Council oversees <br />the spending of millions of tax dollars; the effect <br />on the tax rate of paying Council Members sufficiently <br />to attract qualified, dedicated representatives is <br />less than one penny. The alternative could be more <br />expensive in the long run. It becomes a question of <br />what kind of people does the public want to spend its <br />tax dollars? <br />This ordinance will assist Council Members by more <br />fully reimbursing them for direct and indirect costs <br />of fulfilling their obligations to the citizens of <br />South Bend. It represents an effort to incorporate <br />suggestions made by fellow Council Members, as well <br />as to address a definite need for keeping service on <br />the Council within the reach of any South Bend <br />citizen. Since this bill has had much Council input, <br />I would ask a favorable recommendation of this bill. <br />Sincerely, <br />Beverlie J. Beck, <br />President <br />