07-26-71 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 26, 1971 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (Continued) ORDINANCE (Continued) Mr. James A. Bickel, City Controller, stated that after passage of the ordinance, time will be allowed for publication of the budget. Miss Guthrie stated tax increases went from 16% in 1957 to 70% in 1968. South Bend is the city with the seventh highest tax bill among cities of com- parable size - $350,000 or 164 on the rate. This she felt was unfair. Council President Laven stated that the public hearings on salaries was being held right now and the implication that this ordinance is unfair was unfounded. Mr. Kenneth Buhle, Business Representative for 400 City workers with Teamsters Local #364 of Indiana, 6,000 strong, stated that the 1.4% merit increase to teachers comes out over a 5% increase. Mr. Buhle presented the following letter: of " "TO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS, SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL: July 26, 1971 The Teamsters Local Union No. 364 of South Bend, Indiana, Mr. Roland Wardlow, President, would like to go on record as favoring the Wage and Salary Committee's recommendation of a 5% increase to all South Bend City Workers. We are in favor of the 5% figure not because it is what we asked for in negotiations or what we truly believe to be a decent wage settlement but because we feel realistically this was the limit that could be approved at this time. The 5% figure in no way represents a pay increase or an increase in buy- ing power to the City Employee. It is unlikely to even cover the pro- jected cost -of- living for the year 1971. Public Employees trade at the same market place as do all other employees in the private sector. They have been hit by the same runaway inflation that others in the private sector have experienced. They are entitled to at least an increase that protects what they already have. We know there are many people who suffer from rising inflation and those on a fixed income suffer most, but even Social Security has been in- creased greatly in the last year and now has a built -in cost -of- living to insure the retiree against inflation. A point for the taxpayer to consider is that the City, in order to perform its duties, has to compete against private industry for its manpower. If the City is forced or badgered into paying substandard wages, the only losers will be the taxpayers themselves because substandard wages usually bring substandard performance. In closing, I again would like to support the 5% wage increase recommended by the fees and salary committee as the rock bottom figure -- well within the Presidential Guidelines for non - inflationary settlements. Thank you for your consideration on this subject. Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Local Union No. 364" Mrs. F. S. Wlodarski, 1869 Riverside Drive, South Bend, Indiana, Member of the St. Joseph County Fair Tax Board, submitted the following letter: it July 26, 1971" "TO: Members of the South Bend Common Council RE: Proposed Salary Ordinance for 1972 Gentlemen and Mrs. Allen: In considering the above - identified ordinance, we urge you to keep in mind the bond appropriations made throughout the year, rising costs of welfare, and in particular, the Portage Township poor relief situation. We feel the proposed 5% increase is not in line with the ordinances passed by contiguous cities and the County. We recommend: 1. A 3% or cost of living increase for the deserving civil city employee in the lower half of the salary bracket. 2. Freeze or lower incomes over $14,000.00 for some uniformity for comparable work and responsibility. Remember some of our taxpayers' incomes are at the poverty level. 3. Consider consolidating some department heads' positions with assistants. 4. Allow no new personnel. Due to the failure of the state legislators to provide tax relief for the property owner, it is encumbent upon our City Council to help provide that relief. This can only be accomplished by curtailing expenditures at every level. Yours very truly, /s/ Faith A. Martin, Secretary ST. JOSEPH COUNTY FAIR TAX ASS,