05-11-87 Council Meeting Minutes

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MW REGULAR MEETING MAY 11,1987 7. Examine the costs for arterial road and street needs versus the available revenues and identify and shortage in funds; 8. Investigate possible revenues for increasing funds for arterial improvements; 9. Suggest possible means for securing additional funds for arterial improvements. WHEREAS, the Common Council notes that the majority of the elected officials in St. Joseph County, and the City of Mishawaka and the City of South Bend have heard the presentation from the Arterial Road and Street Improvement Group; and WHEREAS, for the continued commercial, business, service, industrial and residential growth throughout the St. Joseph County urban area, an efficient roadway network is key to meeting highway and safety needs; and WHEREAS, the Common Council believes that the city of South Bend, as well as other governmental units, should maximize, to its highest potential, the current funds for arterial road and street construction available from federal, state and local sources; and WHEREAS, however, the Council acknowledges that a new funding source is necessary to meet the roadway construction costs and on going maintenance costs which are challenging our community as it continues to grow; and WHEREAS, the Council believes that the most reasonable and cost - efficient method which would result in benefiting the road and street projects of St. Joseph County, the City of Mishawaka, and the City of South Bend would be by establishing a "County Motor Vehicle Excise Surtax" and a "County Wheel Tax." NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: SECTION I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana urges the St. Joseph County Council to pass the necessary ordinances to adopt a "County Motor Vehicle Surtax" and a County Wheel Tax" before July 1, 1987. SECTION II. The Council has studied the comprehensive report of the Arterial Road and Street Improvement Group and believes that utilizing the local option highway user tax method would result in the greatest amount of benefits in attempting to address the road and street improvements needed throughout our communities. SECTION III. The Council acknowledges that the surtax can be set between two percent (25) and ten percent (10 %) of the excise tax paid annually with a seven dollar and fifty cent ($7.50) minimum; and that the wheel tax can be set between five dollars ($5.00) and forty dollars ($40.00) per non - excise vehicle with both taxes being paid annually at the time of registration. SECTION IV. The Common Council pledges to support the St. Joseph County Council in this important endeavor to address the critical road, street and bridge improvements needed throughout our community as we all continue to move ahead and enhance the economic, commercial, business, service, industrial and residential growth potentials. SECTION V. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. /s/ Joseph T. Serge Member of the Common Council /s/ Eugenia Braboy Member of the Common Council /s/ Beverlie J. Beck Member of the Common Council /s/ Ann B. Puzzello Member of the Common Council /s/ Robert G. Taylor Member of the Common Council /s/ Thomas Zakrzewski Member of the Common Council /s/ James V. Barcome Member of the Common Council /s/ Al Paszek Member of the Common Council /s/ John Voorde Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Council Member Voorde read the resolution. He indicated this would lend support to the County Council to adopt this tax. He indicated that if this area is going to realize its economic potential we need to adopt this tax. Mayor Roger Parent, indicated he supported this resolution. He indicated the County wanted to know how the City felt about this before they had a special meeting. He indicated that again the South Bend Common Council is being asked to take the leadership on a tough issue, leadership