08-28-72 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 28, 1972 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) levy of $5.64, llfi higher than last year's proposal. Last year's budget included 80 positions funded by E.E.A. Mayor Miller feels there is too much dependency on federal programs and that the city must begin to stand alone. Because of a decision by Governor Whitcomb, the Street Department will not get the state gasoline tax money but must now rely on the property tax. The tax in- crease this year reflects a 33/ increase in salaries and wages. This is not a large or unnecessar, increase. Mr. Barcome said that they realize the property tax is a killer tax and the Mayor is working with the Association of Cities and Towns for state and federal legislation to equalize the tax burden. He then said the various Department heads were all here to answer questions. OFFICE OF MAYOR - Mr. Nemeth said the Council is proposing that A213 Traveling Expense be cut to $1000. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, said that all budgets are up in the entire county and that:the property tax payer is bearing the brunt of this. The South Bend Civil City budget is up $1,753,000 and the rate is up .964. This must be reduced. Homeowners, businessmen and industry must be encouraged to stay in South Bend. She said'she was disappointed that the Mayor was not here for the public hearing on the budget he proposed. Mrs. Ann Wlodarski, Vice President of the Fair Tax Association, said she wished to thank the Council publicly for the opportunity to review the proposed budgets with them. She also gave special recognition to Marchmont Kovas of the South Bend Tribune for his service to taxpaying citizens in the series of articles he wrote presenting facts and figures about the various depart- ment budget proposals. She said the Fair Tax Association is opposed to some large salary in- creases in the number of city jobs. She suggested that the operations of the Water Works should be screened and an accounting given. She said that promotional items and travel should be deleted from the budget and questioned the amounts budgeted for rents. Mrs. Pat Forhan, representative of the Women's Political Caucus, said she is still concerned about the discrimination in the Salary Ordinance which was passed. Minimum and maximum salaries were set for secretaries, stenographers, clerks and accounting clerks. She said this results in some women city employees receiving, in some cases, a lower salary rather than a raise for 1973. Mrs. Ozman Spurlock, said that this situation had been called to the attention of her office and may be a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which allows no discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed or sex. She said this is a possible violation of Act 7 and an investigation of all elements may be necessary. She gave the Council copies of the Act and of two publications from her office and said she would be happy to discuss this matter with members of the Council. OFFICE OF CONTROLLER - Mr. Nemeth said the Council is proposing the following changes: B212 Postage - $9,000; B213 Traveling Expense - $400; B23 Instruction - $500; B363 Other Office Supplies - $10,000; B52 Rents - $15,300; B53 Refunds, Awards and Indemnities - $15,000; B725 Office Equipment - $1,500. Mrs. Wlodarski suggested that the position of Chief Deputy Controller be eliminated, that the positions of Director of Personnel and Purchasing and Buyer be combined, and that the position of Printing Technician be eliminated. Miss Guthrie asked why Group Insuranc was up so much. Mr. Charles Watkins, Deputy City Controller, said this was because of the increas in the city's share of the group insurance premium per month. Mr. Charles A. Sweeney, Jr., City Attorney, asked if Account B53, Refunds, Awards and Indemnities was cut to $15,000 on the projec- tion of double what has been expended so far this year. He asked that a little bit offat be left in this account because of the litigation the city is involved in. He recommended $17,500 to $20,000. Miss Guthrie said that the Attorney has an amount for that purpose in his budget. Mr. Sweeney said that it was his understanding that the amount in the attorney's budget will be taken out. Mr. Barcome questioned the cut in the postage account and said there is not enough in the budget to meet the postage needs for next year. They are already running close to $9500 for this year. OFFICE OF THE CITY CLEF Allowance. Mrs. Wlodax light of EEA employees. the salary increase is IIOFFICE OF I lAccounting Clerk III s Clerk II at $5980. K - Mr. Nemeth said the Council proposes deleting C215 - Transportation ski said that salaries in the Clerk's office should be reviewed in the Miss Guthrie questioned the position of Chief Deputy City Clerk and said very high. Councilmen Serge and Szymkowiak spoke in defense of the salarie - Mr. Nemeth said that two changes should be made in classifications. ld be Clerk III at $5300 and Accounting Clerk IV should be Accounting OFFICE OF COMMON COUNCIL - Miss Guthrie questioned the need for a Deputy Attorney when there are three Deputy City Attorneys. Mr. Paul Bognar, 807 W. Washington, also questioned the need for-_.a Temporary Attorney in the Common Council budget. Councilman Nemeth said that the state legis- lature authorizes Councils to provide for their own attorneys. He said that a man can serve only one master. The City Attorney is hired by the Mayor and when there is a conflict about an ordin- ance, it would be, difficult for the attorney to advise both the Mayor and the Council. An attorney hired by the Council would advise them on items of law pertaining to Council business and the Council would then vote on them. Mrs. Janet Allen, 125 W. Marion Street, and Mr. Robert Laven, 1517 Hoover Avenue, spoke against the Traveling Expense and Car Allowance items in the budget. FFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY - Mr. Nemeth said the Council proposes amending B -53, Refunds, Awards and ndemnities to $1200. Mrs. Wlodarski questioned the change in classification to Secretary IV in his budget. Councilman Miller said that three positions in the budget were changed to Secretary V. in the Engineer's, Attorney's and Controller's offices, because these three jobs involve more esponsibility. Mrs. Conchita Washington, 749 S. Sheridan Street, questioned the G213 Travel xpense item and asked what it was for. Mr. Sweeney explained that he is appointed by the Mayor o attend legislative conferences in the State of Indiana and is invited to regional and national onferences, such as NIMLO. A Deputy City Attorney was sent to Chicago for three days to attend he recent South Shore hearings. FILE OF BOARD OF WORKS - Mr. Nemeth said the Council is proposing cutting H214, Telephone and legraph to $40,000, H221, Electric Current to $450,000, H362, Stationery and Printing to 0, 63, Other Office Supplies to 0, H72, Equipment to $500. Mrs. Freda G. Noble, Clerk of the Board, plained to the Council that H362 is for bid forms from the State of Indiana which are not inted locally and that H363 is for supplies for the Copy Machine which is used daily by the and of', =Works and the Engineering Department. She said if no supplies are purchased for it, an ensive piece of office machinery will be left useless. Miss Guth-r e said she felt that the ount for Telephone and Telegraph was too high. Mr. Laven questioned the amount for Electric rrent. Mrs. Noble said that the I & M is slow in billing for new street lights but that the ney will all be expended. Councilman Miller asked if the city is not just about caught up with e need for street lights. Mr. William Richardson, City Engineer, said that it is a never ding project. Lighting must be provided for the Northeast Code Enforcement Project, the south