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-� Is our opinion that conditions at presen -,-as well as the financial conditions of the
<br />city, call for a further reduction at this time of city salaries.'
<br />In order to accomplish this unde& law, the salaries of some of the officials and employes
<br />of the city can be reduced by ordinance; bu the salaries of certain other officials can be redo ed .
<br />at this time only by- voluntary act of such officials themselves.`
<br />As to those salaries which can be reducediby ordinance 'we recommend the preparation and
<br />passage of an ordinance by the council, to become effective June lstt', 1933, providing for
<br />substantial reductions of the salaries of all officials and employes of the City depending •
<br />upon the amount of salary received.
<br />As to those salaries which can be reduced only by voluntary act, we recommend the preparat o'n
<br />and passage of a resolution by the council, to become effective June 1st., 1933, requesting
<br />voluntary reductions in amounts to be specified,-in such resolution depending upon the amount
<br />of salary received.
<br />In regard to consolidating the Board of Public Works and Public Safety, the Chief purpose
<br />to be attained at this time is the further cutting of expense whether accomplished by
<br />con -s illation of boards or by direct method of reducling slaries, and we point out that the
<br />�nsolidation of said two boards would bring about a less reduction of.salaries under operation
<br />of the law than can be accomplsed by direct action of the council as herein recommended; such
<br />savings so accomplished, as contemplated by your committee, would amount to a sizable figure for
<br />the remaining seven months of the year. •
<br />Although it appears permissable under the new law for the council to consolidate the two
<br />boards at this time, and certainly so after January 1, 1932, yet serious questions of law would
<br />arise, we are advised, should this be effected by action of the council rather than by operatioF
<br />of the act itself as of January 1, 1935. We are warned by some of the.best legal talent of the
<br />city, coming.f rQm.non- partisan sources, that until tie courts can decide the question a
<br />consolidation of such boards-before January 1, 1935, might raise serious legal questions
<br />regarding such mattersa as existing track elevation contracts, any possible future bond issues3,
<br />or other city contracts. On account of such possible consequences, we believe the risks would
<br />be too great and it would therefore be unwise -to consolidate such boards by councilmanic action
<br />before the courts have decided such question.
<br />In view of the urgency of present conditions, we ;believe that action should be taken by the
<br />council at once, as recommended herein, for the reduction of salaries:, which can be and should
<br />be reduced in an amount greater than.would be brought about by the course of consolidating
<br />boards r and for the reasons stated, we believe that any such consolidaioon�Cbefore an
<br />ject
<br />1935, should not take place until a such a course is made safe y court
<br />Respectfully submitted this 8th., day of May, 1933
<br />Geo.
<br />W Goetz_ John C' Nelson
<br />Councilman Goetz makes - a Motion that the Report�allacThareawasaaage eraladiscu�s��ari onlsaid hadb
<br />on same. Motion seconded. ik efoi�re the Rt�ll : Goetz,. 3aworski,
<br />Report. The vote �.n the Roll Call is as follows** Oakley, Cripemand Guetin voting Nay Ayes ��
<br />Altfeld Hiss and Grzeskowiak voting ye, ,
<br />Nays 4. Report was accepted and adopted:' •
<br />MAYOR'S MESSAGE TO THE COMMON.,- COUNCIL regarding Abolishing Boards of Works and Safety and
<br />reducing satutory salaries as provided
<br />FFICHB 5 THE MAYOR
<br />CITY HALL
<br />SOUTH BEND, INDIANA May 84 1933
<br />Honorable Common Council
<br />G
<br />entlemens-1 Having in mind the needs of South Bend, its citizens and taxpayers, foisthesmost
<br />economical and efficient government possible,. and for the pure approved
<br />have arisen locally due to the passage of HB 529 on mid decision regardkingsthaese3questions
<br />March 9, 1933, I am presenting herewith my opinion •
<br />with recommendations for immediatforcabol shing boardsrandechanging salaries upon the Oommon
<br />The law conferred the power to the city of Indianapolis and
<br />Council, but to assure myself of made a
<br />thexAttorneyiGeneral for the Purpose ouseand speoifie ley
<br />interviewed state administrative
<br />their opinion and understanding regarding the action
<br />neral trelativedtoethekearliest date upon whit
<br />to obtain the written opined for under this act can be made effective.'
<br />the various actions provided See page 191.)
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