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Home My WebLink About09-2008 Newsletterso U TH u I ,. A6 E N D SEPTEMBER 2008 M,ayoR SrFphFv !. Lveckc /( Letter from the Mayor Dear Friends and Neighbors, South Bend faces its most challenging budget - planning year in my two decades of public life. Many ask: Why is the City closing our parks? Why is the City planning to lay off police and firefighters? The simple answer is that the State's property tax caps will cause South Bend to lose $21.3 million in revenue, so we need to make these cuts to meet our budget. For the past three years, I have worked with a bipar- tisan coalition of Indiana mayors to avert this crisis, proposing reforms to reduce our reliance on property taxes. Instead of the gradual approach to phase in change, the Governor's plan unilaterally capped property taxes and raised sales taxes. Local government does not receive any of the revenue from the new sales tax. And in many communities across the state, local income taxes are increasing to offset the revenue lost to the caps. House Enrolled Act 1001, while providing some property tax relief, is resulting in a tax shift — or a dramatic cut in services. The lost $21.3 million in revenue, formerly supported by property taxes, is a cut of nearly 27 per- cent in the city's general fund. These taxes pay for important services. As with most cities, about 75 percent of South Bend's budget is devoted to public safety. But our local taxes also pay for parks and economic development, for streets and code enforcement. The Governor's plan to cut property tax revenue also cuts key services and personnel. Without replacement revenue, these tax caps will mean cutting muscle and bone from not only public- safety operations, but from all City departments. We project cutting more than 200 staff, including 40 police officers and 53 firefighters, eliminating paid school crossing guards and closing park facili- ties, city pools, after- school programs, summer playground sites and recreation centers. These proposed cuts are required to live within our budget. We've taken a multi - pronged approach to address revenue shortfalls — finding efficiencies and streamlin- ing operations before reducing services or staff. But these cuts are the true impact of losing nearly a third of our revenue. This is a difficult time for families as well as the City. High gas prices, the slumping national economy and housing concerns provide plenty to worry about. But there are many bright spots in South Bend's economy — the new research park and nanoelectronics initiative will bring good jobs and private investment. Record development at Eddy Street Commons and new projects downtown show that we can grow our economy, even during difficult times. I will continue to lobby the legislature, seeking authority for South Bend to choose the taxes that work best for us. Indianapolis, for example, has several local taxes — taxes on rental cars and at restaurants — aimed primarily at non- residents. To date, the only option that the State has provided to local governments is to raise local income taxes. St. Joseph County now has the 10ffi lowest local option income tax rate among the state's 92 counties. Neighboring Elkhart County is nearly twice our rate. For that reason, I will ask the South Bend Common Council to support a rea- sonable and responsible increase in our local income taxes. An increase will not replace the full amount of the revenue losses. But the city will make up the remaining amount through increased efficiencies, technological inno- vations and targeted cuts. South Bend will not only survive this crisis, this city will thrive. Sincerely, Mayor Steve THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter Morris's Fall Schedule Fall Into Fun Safety Tips Homebuyer's Programs Vote Yes on November 4th! PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • 2008 FALL SCHEDULE • October • ♦ South Bend Symphony Masterworks, • Violin Fireworks!, 8 p.m., Saturday, • October 11 • • ♦ Tyler Perry's "The Marriage Coun- • selor ", 8 p.m., Tuesday, October 14 • ♦ Backyardigans, 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 • • p.m., Thursday, October 16. ON • • SALE - Friday, August 22 • ♦ Broadway Theater League presents • "Forever Tango," Friday at 8 p.m. & • • Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., October • 17'h & 18'h 0 • ♦ South Bend Symphony Pops, Fats • • Waller Tribute, 8 p.m., Saturday, • • October 25h • November • ♦ South Bend Symphony Masterworks, • 0 Scheherazade, 8 p.m., Saturday, No- 0 vember 8h • • ♦ Third Day, Christian Rock Band • • Concert, Sunday, November 9. On • Sale Sept. 20 • December • ♦ South Bend Symphony Pops, Home • • • for the Holiday, 3 p.m., Sunday, De- • • cember 7h • ♦ Broadway Theatre League presents • Jim Brickman Holiday Concert, 8 • • p.m., Monday, December 15 • For more information, please call the • Morris Box Office at 574- 235 -9190 or • • visit morriscenter.org • FALL INTO FUN! ! Keeping Safe • Around Wildlife ; * *Rum Village Fall Family Fun Fair, W September 20, 10 am. - 3 p.m. As the summer gets cooler, : ♦ FREE ADMISSION! and the trees lose their : ♦ Games, family entertainment, face Mayor Steve Luecke leaves, a lot of animals will ; and pumpkin painting, popcorn popping, and more! be gearing up to hibernate ♦ FREE Krispy Kreme donuts & Starbucks coffee while it and head south for the winter. This suggests that a lot of am- lasts! mals will be out more than normal, which means that we need ♦ Concessions available for purchase to take extra precautions around these creatures. ; ♦ Horse -drawn wagon rides ♦ Infant wildlife are seldom truly orphaned - Parents are ; * *Due to a change in schedule, we were not able to include usually nearby and young can often be re- nested. ; this in last month's newsletter. We apologize to those who re- ♦ Do not let children handle wildlife - Protect yourself and ; ceive this after Sept. 20. the animal from injury or disease by using gloves or tow- : Nights of Fright, October 23 - 25 els. Then, leave them alone. ♦ Haunted Asylum - chills, thrills, scares & screams! ♦ Wildlife are not pets - It is cruel to raise wildlife yourself; : ♦ Kiddie Karr -Evil - for the little ones: games, bouncers, they need specialized care. If you find an injured animal, : and kid - friendly guests put it in a box with air holes, keep it warm, dark and quiet, ; ♦ Creepy Kitchen - spooky snacks & drinks and call Animal Control at 235 -9303 to have them pick up ; ♦ Newman Rec Center, Northside Blvd. a( Sample St. the animal. Bridge ♦ Prevent pets from attacking wildlife - Domestic animal • predation on wildlife is tremendous, especially cats; so ; Zoo Boo at Potawatomi Zoo, keep them indoors. Friday - Saturday, October 24 - 25, 6 - 9 p.m. ♦ Pick up litter - Fishing line, plastics, batteries and cigarette Sunday, October 26, 12 - 4 p.m. butts are harmful to wild animals. ♦ Moving wildlife is illegal - Live trapping and relocating ; O'Brien Skate Park Fall hours nuisance wildlife is cruel and a potential health hazard. 4:30 -10:00 p.m. Monday - Friday • 10:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. Saturday Sources: : 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Massachusetts http: //www.wraminc.orgltips.html ; Leeper Tennis Center Fall hours 3:00 -7:00 p. m. Monday - Friday ............... ..............................: 8:00 -2:00 p. m. Saturday : 12:00 -6:00 p.m. Sunday In the Market fora _ — _ ; For more information, call the SB Parks & Recreation New Home? • Department at 299 -4768 ext. 239 or visit the website The City of South Bend can • sbpark. org. ............................................ help!!! . The following programs maybe used Vote "YES" on November together or separately to purchase a : 4th! home within the South Bend City limits (eligibility based on income guidelines): : On Nov. 4, South Bend residents will Community Homebuyers Program ; consider a referendum to opt out of Indi- ana Utility Regulatory Commission ♦ Grants up to $19,000 are available to assist with the pur- • oversight of local utilities. Nearly 90 chase of your home. Interest rates are competitive, no PMI ; percent of Indiana's 388 municipalities (private mortgage insurance) required, have opted out of IURC oversight, saving hundreds of thou- * Lower mortgage payments due to assistance with use of sands of dollars in reduced costs. Rate increases already need the grant. ; the approval of the South Bend Common Council. Reward ♦ Grants of up to $1,000 are available to assist you. This ; Vote YES: grant pays toward down payment and closing costs for V/ For local control V/ To reduce bureaucracy your mortgage. ' V/ For fairer water rates For more information please call the Division of Community ✓ To avoid large rate hikes Development at 235 -9475. : SI USTED NO ENTIENDE INGLES Y NECESITA AYUDA PARA TRADUCIR ESTE DOCUMENTO, O Sl TIENE ALGUNA PREGUNTA, POR FAVOR LLAME AL TELEFONO (574) 235 -5858 X 1000. hisit Our Website at www SoutliBendIN.gov!