HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-10 News Release
South Bend Coanmon Council
NEWS REIIEASE September 9, 2410, 5 p.m.
Salary Freeze at 2007 Levels Proposed for South Bend City Council
Contact: Derek D. Dieter, Council President 532-2200 or~ 235-5982
Council President Derek D. Dieter has fated with the Office of the City Clerk a substitute ordinance
calling for City Council wages to be frozen at 2007 levels. Dieter noted that the City Council is the
only part of City government to freeze its wages for such an extended period of time.
President Dieter cited the 12.3% unemployment rate for July, increasing from an 11.9% unemployment
for June in the South Bend area, as one of the reasons for this recommendations to his colleagues an
the City Council. He noted that at least the foreclosure rates in the South Bend-Mishawaka area
reported for the first half of 2010 are slowly improving.
Although the City Council has one of the smallest budgets in the entire City of South Bend civil city
budget, he believes that every dollar captured by this proposed freeze will help, Building permits are
dawn, which apparently forced the Consolidated Building Department to give notice to at least three
(3) of its full-time employees that they would be laid off.
"Elected public officials must lead by example. When the original ordinance was filed, it was hoped
that there would be better economic news at the local, state and national levels to support a salary
increase. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and a freeze is the right thing to do far next year," Dieter
stated. He noted that the City Council has held a series of Council Summits which focused an
"priority based budgeting''. The Council is engaged and reviewing all proposed budgets. Several
deparkments may be called back for further public hearings before the Personnel and Finance
Committee makes its final recommendations on the proposed 2011 city budget.
Dieter noted that the Council has been working with the Fire and Police Administrations to explore the
possibility of charging for specialized services. "Modest fees, which are reasonable for special services
such as fire inspections, would take some of the burden off of the taxpayers. It would help shift some
an the burden to tl~e users of such services. All ideas are on the table. Times are tough for everyone.
We must continue to tighten our belts and brainstarn ideas which will help South Bend and our
residents". Dieter encouraged residents to contact their Council Members and share their ideas.
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