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CITY OF SQUTH BEND <br />STEPHEN f . LUECKE, 1VIAYOR <br />OFFICE OF THE MAYOR <br />December 11, 2008 <br />South Bend Common Council <br />4'~' Floor, County-City Building <br />South Bend, IN 46601 <br />Re: Bill No. 08-107 - LOIT Resolution <br />Dear Council Members: <br />DEC 1 1 2008 <br />d0}~r9 ~119~i~E <br />CtTi~ CLF ~, ~~:+. t:~i~?~, fM. <br />At tonight's meeting I will introduce a substitute resolution which proposes the property <br />tax replacement LOIT at 0.5%, rather than the full 1% in the original bill. I am doing this for <br />several reasons. First, in recognition of the dire economic conditions and the stress that many <br />families are under, I believe that we need to levy the least tax that we can until the economy <br />improves. I believe that the 0.5% PTRC and the 0.25% Public Safety LOITs will allow us to <br />sustain the most critical services and bridge until we can generate additional revenue. <br />Second, I put forth the 1% to show the public what the true cost of the tax caps is and <br />what is needed to replace those revenues. However, I also believe that we need to respond to <br />public expectation that we do more to streamline government. Having a shortfall still facing us <br />will make those decisions more urgent and provide an impetus for serious discussion with the <br />Council and the public about what services should be provided by local government. <br />Third, I fear that if we enact the full amount, the Legislature will be off the hook and feel <br />that it doesn't need to provide any other tools since we will have "solved" our problem. We need <br />to continue efforts to have more tools available to provide sustainable revenue for local <br />government. <br />I will make the presentation on this substitute resolution tonight. Thank you for the <br />thoughtful consideration you are giving to this matter. <br />Sincerely, <br />`' ~- <br />G <br />Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor <br />COUNTY-CITY BUILDING • SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46601 <br />PHONE 219/235-9261 • FAX 219/235-9892 • TDD 219/235-5567 <br />