HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel and Finance Committee Annual Report2016 Annual Report of the Personnel and Finance Committee
of the South Bend Common Council
Date: December 29, 2016
To: The South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk
From: Council Member Karen L. White
Personnel and Finance Committee Chairperson
Filed in Clerk's ice
QEC 3 "i 7016
KAREEIMAH FOWLER
CITY CLERK, SOUTH BEND, IN
As Chairperson of the South Bend Common Council's Personnel and Finance Committee, I am
pleased to file the 2016 Annual Committee Report. Pursuant to Section § 2 -10(i) of the South Bend
Municipal Code, this report sets forth a summary of the key activities conducted by the Personnel
and Finance Committee throughout the year.
Duties: The Personnel and Finance Committee "oversees the various activities performed by the
Department of Administration and Finance, salaries, budgets, fiscal matters and personnel policies
and procedures of the City ", as established formally by the South Bend Municipal Code.
Members: There were four (4) Council Members this year serving on the Personnel and Finance
Committee:
Council Member Karen L. White, Chairperson
Council Member Gavin Ferlic, Vice - Chairperson
Council Member Regina Williams- Preston, Member
Council Member John Voorde, Member
Meetings: The Personnel and Finance Committee, as of the date of this Annual Report, has meet
twenty -one (21) times this year.
Organizational Meeting
• Discussion of goals and objectives for the committee this year
• Discussion on "circuit breakers" in the upcoming years and more information on the
financial impact it may have.
• Need to have more information on TIF Districts and how money may be appropriated
• Discussion on the budget process from last year; good transparency of information and
attendance of offsite meetings; importance of planning for the future; needing an updated
organizational chart for budget purposes; encourage council members to compile questions
or concerns for the budget process
• Availability of a new database and system to increase communication between council,
department heads and the administration; publishing of all minutes online; availability of
financial reports and documents
2016 Annual Report of the Personnel and Finance Committee
December 29, 2016
Page 2
Summary of 2016 Committee Topics
• Overview from the Department of Administration and Finance
• Discussion of accounting change to priority based budgeting for 2017 Budget
• Priority Budgeting —budget costs by program rather than just accounts and budgets
• New Popular Annual Financial Report — more citizen friendly, readability
0 Administration and Finance Department commended for providing information, first year
Council has heard no comments from the community about lack of information or
opportunity for input
• Discussion on various budget transfers and funds maintained by the Department of
Administration and Finance
• Discussion on Pokagon Band's proposal for a tribal village and a Class 2 gaming facility
in the 6th District
• Conducting a series of committee meetings on the 2017 Operating Budget:
• 2017 City -Wide Budget Overview on August 15, 2016 — discuss goals /objectives, impact
of circuit breakers (property taxes), road maintenance, increase in personnel costs (health
care costs), diversity and inclusion effort, City infrastructure initiatives, and public safety
• Budget Sessions - Detailed Presentations from all City Departments on their 2017 Budget
o Administration and Finance, Innovation and Technology, Mayor's Office, Legal
Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Community Investment,
Department of Parks and Recreation, Morris Performing Arts, Century Center,
TRANSPO, Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Code
Enforcement, Building Department, Fire Pension, Office of the City Clerk, and the
Common Council
• Preparing and discussing a series of questions /concerns raised on the proposed budget
• Discussion on increase of parking fines and amnesty program for publicly owned facilities
• Discussion on Parks Department re- organization — consolidation of Parks, City Venues and
Parking Garages, and establishing a new city department of Innovation and Technology
• Discussion on increase on City Employee Salaries — Common Council, City Clerk, etc.
The Personnel and Finance Committee has basically operated as the "fiscal watchdog" in making
sure that all available fiscal and financial information is shared with the Common Council and the
public. It has been a pleasure to work closely with the staff of the Department of Administration
and Finance. Their diligence and hard work is greatly appreciated especially during the extensive
budget process.
The Personnel and Finance Committee has strived to increase the dissemination of information
and transparency of all city government operations to the public.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Respectfully Submitted,
Council Member Karen L. White, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee