02-09-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 09, 2015 working to get those under control with new plans and wellness measures, including a City healthcare clinic because we are a self - insured body. Enterprise Funds ticking up this is to apply with EPA and our long -term control plan. There was a lot of capital expenditures to account for the fire station and training and development center. The overall and reflection of the City is that we are now spending in order to meet our obligations as reflection on the sewers. There are 2014 expenditures such as Public Safety that are structural that we are getting into a long -term sustainable pattern. Mayor reported that the general fund will be a flat number moving forward. He gave a breakdown of where the City's money comes from with the largest being City chargers, waste water, delivery water, and waste, and other programs that residence pay to be a part, this accounts for 30% of our revenue, the next category is property taxes where state and federal money come from, local income taxes, then the economic development income tax. The single greatest category of expenditures in 2014 was utilities to pay for delivery of services, next is public safety, then economic development (the bulk to tiff money), general government 4 %. The vast majority goes to public safety of 86 %, then cultural recreation. There is no rapid uptick on property taxes. Good news is the average collection rate on property taxes is about 95 %. Tiff property tax revenue has increased since 2008. Local option income taxes increased from 0.2% to 0.4% to support economic development. Full time employment is down between 2009 and 2014. Break down of our employees public safety is at the highest, public works, parks & recreation, then Administration and Finance. South Bend has a bond rating of AA, something we should be proud of. We are considered a class two City, not other City that is class two with an AA bond rating. Mayor reviewed how the bond rating is configured. The mayor acknowledged the strong work of our Admin & Finance team, again this year we received the Certificated of Achievement for Excellence in financial reporting. This is the 24�h consecutive year that South Bend has been awarded this. I want to thank you for your stewardship for those that trust us with those funds. (A copy of the power point presentation is on File in the Office of the City Clerk.) REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES Mayor- Out of respect of time if there are any questions to the city office please call me, or send an email over or reach out to President Scott. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:24 p.m. Councilmember Scott made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. Councilmember White, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember White, explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2 -11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Councilmember White stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council Chambers explaining those procedures. Preliminary questions only, with all other Council comments being heard during the Council portion. No member of the public is permitted to approach the Council Members and everyone is requested to stay behind the Council railing. PUBLIC HEARINGS 59 -14 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING SECTION 6 -37.1 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE ADDRESSING VACANT BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REGISTRATION Councilman Derek Dieter made a motion to move to hear the substitute version of Bill No. 59 -14, motion seconded by Councilman Gavin Ferlic, which carried by a vote of seven (7) ayes.