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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Office of the Mayor <br /> <br />NEWS RELEASE <br />August 5, 2009 <br />3:30 p.m. <br /> <br />Public Works finds new efficiencies, revenue streams <br /> <br />Contact: <br />Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 <br /> <br />Two revenue-generating departments for the City of South Bend are finding new efficiencies, <br />targeted reductions and income from sources other than property taxes as a way to help the City <br />live within its means in its proposed 2010 budget. <br /> <br />The South Bend Common Council on Wednesday reviewed proposed 2010 budgets for five <br />divisions of the Department of Public Works – Engineering; Street, Traffic and Lighting; Central <br />Services; Water Works; and Environmental Services (Wastewater, Sewer and Solid Waste) – <br />along with the Morris Performing Arts Center and the Palais Royale Ballroom. <br /> <br />In terms of all funding sources, the Department of Public Works accounts for nearly 34 percent <br />of all City expenditures. Total Public Works expenditures from all sources is projected at $56.9 <br />million in 2010, down nearly 16 percent from its $67.3 million expenditure budget in 2009. <br /> <br />But with several divisions supported by user fees and other taxes, the department’s expenses <br />represent only 12 percent of the property-tax-supported General Fund budget in 2010, for <br />engineering and streets. That portion will decline nearly 25 percent from $6,566,177 in 2009 to <br />$4,934,804 in 2010. <br /> <br />The primary reductions to the general fund budget result from a shift in personnel and expenses <br />to alternate funding sources, including the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund and the Sewage Works <br />operations and management budget. This will enable 2010 budget reductions of 7 percent by the <br />street department and of 42 percent by the Division of Engineering. But there are also traditional <br />reductions, such as removing 25 fleet vehicles throughout Public Works, which seeks to reduce <br />the entire fleet by 25 percent. Gasoline costs will decline by 7 cents per gallon through a decision <br />to use fuel with 10 percent ethanol. <br /> <br />But Public Works crews also are finding new efficiencies. <br /> <br />-more- <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />