07-23-34 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

Members ofthe Common Council Committee ofthe Whole Ways and Meanaa „Committee - - -, -- City of South Benxi, Indiana - Gentlemen: In accordance with several of my former messages and recent conversations with Mr. Goetz and Mr. Hull of the gays and Means Committee, I herewith present to you an outline of the changes it is contemplated making in the salaries of City employes for the year 1935, with other pertinent information regarding the City and its finances. The interdependence of the legislative end executive departments of the City of South Bend has been clearly shown by our joint action on several occasions. The question of fixing sala�ri during the last few years has been one in which both branches of government have assumed their obligations end duties to the City unflinchingly. Those of us who are regponsible for the reduction of salaries know its difficulties and I am sure that you will agree that neither your body nor the executive branch would have reduced salaries except to assure a continuance of the operations of this City. When we were faced with municipal bankruptcy unless our expenditures were brought in keeping with our income, both theCommon Council andAdministration met the matter squarely and brought expenditures in keeping with the expected income. The fact that South Bend is one of the twenty -fiine cities above 100,000 population in the United States that lived within its income, justifies our joint action to the citizens and employes of this City. A survey of local conditions shows that there ere approximately 14000 wage earners unemployed; 2459 families on poor relief; there has been a further reduction of $6,000.00 in the assessed valuation of South. Bend property showing a total reduction, since 1929, from $200,000,000. to $130,000,000. On the bright side - deposits in the banks are on the increase and officilas of-- the American Trust and Citizens Trust banks are confident they will reopen; current tax del- inquencies have been reduced from 25% to 17%; end there is a confident feeling that the Studebaker Corporation will be reorganized -before the end ofthe year. The first three items, apemployment, poor relief andthe reduction in property valuations show •_ continued lowered ability to pay taxes st their former high rates. However, the last three, showing improvement in our industrial and financial situation, indicate a possible change in the first three black items. The promises made by both the Council and the Administration tt the City employes to share any savings in the operation of the municipal government by salary increased must be fulfilled. City employes should. feel confident that their wages and salaries will be in keeping with the amounts paid their fellow citizens for similar work in private enterprises. They should have the further assurance thatthis arrangement shall be ma.intsined- without needless quibbling. Once this confidence xiaxiixtexm asixkaimRdxxiiiaxxixmRsdixxax is established they will be more Willi to accept reductions, if lowered income of the community makes such action necessary. tax will permit The savings in the 1935 budget, plus expected incor;e from other than sources five • an increase in salaries to all City employes of 10 per cent. There are, however, in keeping with the balance of the City employes. pesitions where the salaries paid are not These a mechanic in the Police Department; signal men at the alarm station, bailiff of the afire: City Court; one man in the Building Departtment end one men in the Engineering Department. These will be readjusted to conform before applying the blanket increase. The total aamooLnt involved is $44,169.30. included in this increase. Their salaries, The executive officres of the City are not having been limited by the State tegislaature, are already set by the Common Council. (Continued on page 251)