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February 24, 2026 Filed in Clerk's Office <br /> Mar 20, 2026 <br /> To: Members of the St. Joseph County Council Bi uthaBo <br /> City Clerkanca. South Bend, IN <br /> Re: Land Bank Interlocal Agreement <br /> Members of the Council: <br /> I am writing to convey my strong support for the St. Joseph County land bank. <br /> My roles as president of the board of trustees at the Marshall County Community <br /> Foundation as well as the president of the Culver Redevelopment Commission allow me <br /> insight into the many community benefits to be gained through the land bank. <br /> This public/private/philanthropic partnership, under the management and guidance of <br /> top leaders across St. Joseph, Elkhart and Marshall Counties, and working in <br /> conjunction with MACOG and the Lilly Foundation, will: <br /> • Save taxpayer money by addressing vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated <br /> properties that traditionally do not sell in the County Tax Sale process; <br /> • Empower local developers, neighborhoods, and homebuyers to build homes and <br /> public spaces to help their communities grow and thrive; <br /> • Increase the number of homes our residents can afford; <br /> • Decrease the number of vacant, deteriorating properties. <br /> This proven tool is systematic, cost-effective, and designed to reduce long-term public <br /> expense. <br /> Particularly in view of the need for housing in St. Joe and across our region, and our <br /> shared desire to make our hometowns great, I believe the land bank is exceptionally <br /> worthy of your support. <br /> Respe ully <br /> Martin J. Oosterbaan <br /> Marshall County Community Foundation <br /> Culver Redevelopment Commission <br />