08-11-41 Council Meeting Minutes

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Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, met in regular session in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Monday, August 11, 1941, at 8:18 P.M. with all members present except Councilman Bishop. President Richardson presided. The reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was waived by agreement. COMMUNICATION August 11, 1941 To the Common Council of the City of South Bend Gentlemen: The Board of Water Works Trustees desires to call certain matters to your attention. As you are no doubt aware, the Water Works was recently relieved of its obligation to pay taxes to St. Joseph County. It is the opinion of the Trustees, that the Water Works should bear its fair share of the tax burden of the city of South Bend. These taxes, if paid, would amount approximately to $19,450.00 per year. The Trustees therefore request that the Council by proper ordinance, cause the transfer from the Water Works general fund, to the general fund of the city of South Beni, the amount of $38,900.00, as the amount representing taxes which would have been payable in the years 1940 and 1941. In addition,thereto, the Trustees feel that they are able to report the result of certain increases of efficiency i the operation of the Water Works. This increase in efficiency is partially reflected by way of collection of aecou permitted, in earlier years, to become delinquent. This efficient operation carried out under the supervision of Mr. Giles Cain, Superintendent of the Water Works, has resultedin a substantial improvement of the financial condi- tion of the Water Works. It is the opinion of the Trustees that the reduction of the delinquent accounts makes it possible to transfer the additional amount of $8,000.00 from the general fund of the city Water Works, to the gener fund of the city of South Bend. The transfer of these amount totaling X46,900.00, will provide a means for assisting the citizens of the Community by making possible a reduction of the local tax burden of the property owners, and thereby making it easier for these citizens to bear their fair share of the increasing cost of National Defense. Respectfully submitted, By HARRY S. DRIGGS Chairman, Board of Water Trustees Councilman Pulaski made a motion that the City Attorney be instructed to draw up an ordinance to cover the transfer of said funds from the Water Works general fund to the general fund of the city of South Bend. Councilman Niezgodski seconded the motion. Motion carried by a vote of 8 ayes - 0 nays - 1 absent. COGLMUNICATION August 11 -1941 President and Members of the Common Council City of South Bend, Indiana Gentlemen:- I wish to take this opportunity to thank the members of your Honorable Body for your splendid cooperation during the past year and not only appreciate your constructive assistance and cooperation with my office, but I also appreciate your cooperation with the various Department Heads of the City. It is my privilege to present to you the proposed annual budget for the Civil City of South Bend covering the year 194219 the proposed annual budget covering the Park City and the annual salary ordinance covering the Police and Fire Departments and various other city employees. There has been an almost universal request on the part of the City employees for an increase of wages for the year 1942. This request is based on the increased cost of living, due in large measure to the present National emergency I feel, that I am certain you also feel, that these requests are quite justifiable as long as they are conservative in their demand, and are in line with those people employed in private industries. I feel too that there should not be an attempt made to establish at this time a new base rate of pay, but that any increases granted now are of a temporary nature occasioned because of the increased cost of living. When the emergency is passed and living condi- tions have readjusted themselves to a normal basis, then it should be understood that the base rates now in effect should be resumed. I realize, also, that none of us know how long this emergency may continue, or the extent of its effect, and it may therefore become necessary to make still further advances in some cases than those now proposed, in order to treat the employees of the city equitable and fairly. I would like first to call your attention to the salary ordinance insofar as it applies to the Police and Fire dep ments. There is no recommendation for a change in the rate of pay to the members of these Departments. However, they are to have a hearing before the Finance Committee on the subject. We realize, of course, that when there is an increase in the cost of living, it effects the members of these Departments the same as it effects employees in other Departments of the City, or those in private industries. There are, however, extenuating circumstances for the failure to grant the 15/ increase requested by the Wage Committee of the Police, Fire and Electrical Departments. The police and firemen are protected in their jobs over a long period of years and can only be removed for cause at any time. They are members of the Police and Firemen Pension Fund that gives to each of them a pension of 185.00 per month at the completion of twenty years of service up to 4103.00 per month on the completion of twenty -five years of service. There are also features in this pension 'plan which grants pensions to the widows and support of minor children of deceased police- or..firemen. A survey made by one of the large insurance companies shows that the benefits accruing under the pension plan to any member of either of these Departments would cost the individual more than $700.00 per year to purchase. The pay of these in- dividuals is more stabilized throughout the years and is not effected as drastically during the period of depression, Statistics show that the members of these Departments are now next to the highest paid of any Department in the Sta of Indiana, and are paid higher salaries than the average of similar departments in industrial cities of a similar and larger population than this city. There are several positions in the city where the salaries are fixed by the Council for a period of four years. These include the Mayor, Controller, Deputy Controller, City Clerk, ex- officio City Treasurer, City Judge, City Attorney, City Engineer and members of the Common Council. It is recommended, and the salary ordinance and the proposed budgets will in most cases show, that an increase of 10% is set up for city employees, whose salaries are now less than $3000.00. II have no desire to try and point out in this communication all the items that account for changes in the proposed budget from the-budget-of last year. I would, however, like to set forth briefly the major items. It is proposed to add to the present personnel of the Police Department fifteen persons. The year 1940 was the wor year in the history of South Bend from the standpoint of traffic accidents and fatalities. The traffic problem has