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Home My WebLink About2017 Annual Report of the Personnel and Finance Committee /Y-SpU TN 8 � �'A Filed in Clerk's Office PEACE !� DEC 202017 KAREEMAH FOWLER Karen White CITY CLERK,SOUTH_BEND,!N At Large Council Member To: South Bend Common Council Office of the City Clerk From: Council Member Karen L. White, Personnel and Finance Committee Chairperson Date: December 20, 2017 2017 Annual Report of the Personnel and Finance Committee As Chairperson of the South Bend Common Council's Personnel and Finance Committee, I am pleased to file the 2017 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 for the 2017 year. Duties: The Personnel and Finance Committee is one of the eleven standing committees of the Common Council. It reviews and holds public meetings on all matters filed by the City Administration which include but not limited to: ➢ Annual City Budgets and Tax Rates ➢ City Employee Salary Ordinances ➢ Proposed appropriations and transfers ➢ Fees and Charges for service ➢ Personnel Policies, Health benefits and other related matters. We believe that fiscal transparency and accountability are the key objectives and goals for overseeing the taxpayers" dollars of the residents of South Bend. Members: There are 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: 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)520-5018 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5985 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Work Office: (574)5204477 Email:KWHITE @SOUTHBENDIN.GOV 0�SpU T11 8��.. . 4: �O F. ka, PEACE a,7 1865 Karen White At Large Council Member The Personnel & Finance Committee, as of the date of this Annual Report, has met over twenty (20) times this year. We began with an Organizational Meeting to outline goals and objectives for the committee and to review accomplishments for 2016. In preparation for the 2018 Budget Hearings, Council Members were asked to submit their funding priorities. The priorities were: ➢ Quality of Life & Neighborhoods • Stronger Residential Development from Community Investment (Specifically in the most challenging Districts) • Affordable Housing • Expansion of"Light Up South Bend" Initiative • Code Enforcement • Vacant and Abandoned Housing Phase II Development ➢ Economic Development,Job Training ➢ Public Safety&Traffic Patrols ➢ Parks& Recreation ➢ Infrastructure (Curbs, Sidewalks, Streets, CSO) ➢ City Corridors ➢ Diversity in the Workforce The City's 2018 Budget Priorities were: ➢ Safe Community for Everyone ➢ Strong, Inclusive Economy ➢ Thriving Public Spaces ➢ Vibrant, Welcoming Neighborhoods ➢ Robust and Well-Planned Infrastructure ➢ All Residents Empowered with Education, Mobility and Technology The context of the 2018 City Budget was presented by Mayor Pete Buttigieg on August 16th ➢ Growth and strength—South Bend's economy and population continue to grow; civic energy is high, and financial reserves remain healthy. Unemployment rate is at 3.1%as of April 2017, which is the lowest rate in 19 years. ➢ Fiscal challenges ahead —Fiscal curb in 2020 will tighten city finances as programmed tax cuts goes into effect. Property taxes remain relatively flat, however,the net assessed value is increasing at a modest rate (2.21% in 2016). ➢ Major initiatives—e.g. Quality of Place improvements including Smart Streets and MY SB Parks and Trails, Inclusive, Economic Growth, Neighborhood Planning, and Diversity. Human Capital and Inclusion Efforts including centralization of Purchasing facilitating inclusive purchasing practices. 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)520-5018 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5985 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Work Office: (574)5204477 Email:KWHITE @SOUTHBENDIN.GOV pUTH ;.W PFACF 1I_ Karen White At Large Council Member I am happy to report that many of the Council's budget were included and approved in the 2018 budget. Brief Summary of 2017 Committee Activities: 1. Reviewed and approved applications for scrap mental/junk dealers'/recycling operations license. 2. Received and discussed Quarterly Finance Updates prepared by the Department of Administration and Finances. 3. Conducted a series of committee meetings on the 2018 Operating Budget which consisted of 14 Budget Meetings which commenced with a Budget Kickoff Meeting at the Northern Indiana Historical Society and Center for History on March 1, 2017 to discuss goals/objectives, Priority Based Budgeting, income projections and proposed expenditures. Council President Tim Scott and the Karen White Personal & Finance Committee Chair, presented the 2018 Council's Priorities as well. 4. All departments presented their budgets proposals over the course of the 2018 budget hearings. Council members and the public had the opportunity to ask questions and share their feedback regarding the 2018 Budget. The administration along with the Clerk's Office provided feedback to questions posed. This information is available on the Council's website. https://www.southbendin.gov/government/department/clerk-kareemah-fowler 5. A special public budget hearing was scheduled as a means to enhance public input and transparency on September 18, 2017. 6. The 2018 Budget Hearings and other documents are available on the City's Website https://www.southbendin.gov/government/division/finance 7. Council Members were asked to provide their feedback, suggestions and comments regarding the 2018 Budget Hearings. The following areas for feedback were: 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)520-5018 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5985 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Work Office: (574)520-4477 Email:KWHITE @SOUTHBENDIN.GOV U ` d MAC a R 1865 Karen White At Large Council Member ➢ Level of transparency and communication Council Administration ➢ Citizen's Involvement Council's Involvement ➢ 2018 Budget Preparation Administration/Council ➢ 2018 Budget Items in support of neighborhoods and community ➢ Quality of Budget Hearings ➢ Budget Hearings Timeline ➢ Areas of improvement ➢ Information needed prior to the 2018 budget hearing ➢ Salary increases ranges for 2018. 8. Feedback from the 2018 Budget process will be requested from the Administration as well. A summary of responses from the Council and Administration will be made available the early part of 2018. The 2018 Budget aligns administration, council and resident priorities, through early engagement with Councilmembers, the administration and residents, we were able to better understand the needs of the residents and businesses in South Bend. The budget reflects board input and will enable the City to continue delivering services that empower everyone to thrive It has been a pleasure to work closely with Administration and Finance Controller,Jennifer Hockenhull, her staff, departments heads, City Clerk, Kareemah Fowler and her staff, and members of the Common Council that ensured the adaptation of the 2018 City Budget. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Karen L. White, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)520-5018 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5985 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Work Office: (574)520-4477 Email:KWHITE @SOUTHBENDfN.GOV