11-10-08 Final vote on City’s 2009 baseline budget set for tonight

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Office of the Mayor NEWS RELEASE November 10, 2008 4:15 p.m. Final vote on City’s 2009 baseline budget set for tonight Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 or Catherine M. Fanello, City Controller, 235-9216 The South Bend Common Council will vote on the City’s proposed 2009 budget at its 7 p.m. regular meeting. Here are some of the highlights: ? BASELINE BUDGET: The Council will consider a baseline budget, which will show, in essence, a best-case scenario: a slight 0.4 percent increase in the overall 2008 general fund budget of $67.3 million. A baseline budget provides the City with the maximum flexibility in continuing services at essentially the same level – if additional sources of revenue are found. ? WHAT’S ENTAILED: The baseline budget includes a 2 percent increase in salary for non-bargaining employees; 2.2 percent and 1.65 percent increases, respectively, for police and firefighters. Firefighters also negotiated for and will receive longevity pay. ? REDUCED SPENDING PLAN: A proposed spending plan for 2009 and 2010 shows severe reductions in services that would be necessary if revenues lost to the property tax caps are not replaced. Without new revenue, Mayor Stephen J. Luecke will return to the Council with a reduced appropriation that will reflect the 27 percent overall cut in the City’s budget by 2010. Proposed changes included: Cuts of more than 200 personnel, including 53 firefighters and 40 police officers. o Elimination of all school crossing guards (after the 2008-09 school year), after- o school programs and funding for community-based social-service providers. Closure of all city pools, many landmark park facilities, summer playground sites o and recreation centers. Pay freezes for many city employees along with voluntary 5 percent pay cuts for o Mayor Steve Luecke, City department heads and all staff in the Mayor’s office.