09-23-2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes (2)

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REGULAR MEETING September 23, 2024 thousand dollars ($13,100,000), and the City had a surplus in 2023 of nine million and three hundred thousand dollars ($9,300,000). In 2024, the budgeted deficit was sixteen million and one hundred thousand dollars ($16,100,000), and the City had a surplus in 2024 of five million and two hundred thousand dollars ($5,200,000). The General Fund deficit is caused by subsidies for the Streets Department to increase paving across the City. The gas tax is inadequate to fund the paving operations of the city as it does not keep up with inflation. The Police Department is fully staffed with two hundred and fifty-seven (257) sworn officers. The Real Time Crime Center continues to expand its operations and technology. The upcoming Fire Department negations will allow for the increased retention of firefighters in the City. The City continues to invest in the City through parks and neighborhood projects, the Vibrant Places grant, and the Innovation Grants for Neighborhood Information, Transformation, and Enhancement (IGNITE) grant. The neighborhood plan for Twyckenham Hills will be completed in 2025.The new twenty-five million dollar($25,000,000)Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center(MLK Dream Center)will require more staffing in 2025. The all-of-the-above housing strategy will continue in 2025. Mayor Mueller stated that the cost of living adjustments for the salaries of City employes are vital to attracting and retaining employees. The Climate Action Plan keeps the City's residents healthy and attracts visitors to parks and other venues. Councilmember Warner asked what Mayor Mueller thought of the possible State budget changes with the new State government and stated that the budget needs to be better balanced. Mayor Mueller stated that many proposals are being made regarding the State budget. Mayor Mueller stated that the City's best hope is for legislators to listen to their communities and not do something that causes drastic disruption. The City budget is over fifty percent (50%) of public safety, so any cuts made would have to include cuts to public safety. Councilmember Warner stated that the City has thirty-five(35)budget-related meetings,exceeding other jurisdictions in the surrounding area. Councilmember Tomas Morgan stated that the City would be pulling from cash reserves for the first time in a while. Mayor Mueller stated that the cash reserves will be double what they were in 2020. The City will spend down the cash reserves to get them closer to the cap. Councilmember Tomas Morgan congratulated Mayor Mueller on the City's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. Councilmember Lee asked if the City needs to make cuts to the budget and what the first(I") cuts would be. Mayor Mueller stated that many temporary programs started with Federal funds. Many are still operating with City funds but have been scaled back. These discretionary funds would be the first (1 St)to be rolled back. Mayor Mueller stated that a soft hire freeze has been contemplated for these programs. Councilmember Lee opened the public hearing. Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, South Bend IN 46614, stated the City has a total debt of four hundred and sixty-two million dollars ($462,000,000). The City has over sixty-eight (68) active tax abatements. Brendan Crumlish, 1091 Riverside Drive, South Bend, IN 46616, stated the City has a higher budget than the surrounding municipalities. Council President McBride motioned to send Bill No. 50-24 to the Full Council with a favorable recommendation,which was seconded by Council Vice President Niezgodski and carried by a vote of seven (7) ayes and one(1) nay with one (1) Councilmember absent. Council President Sharon McBride—Aye Council Vice President Sheila Niezgodski—Aye Councilmember Canneth Lee—Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers—Aye Councilmember Troy Warner—Aye Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson—Nay Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis—Absent Councilmember Karen L. White—Aye 8