HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-2025 Personnel & Finance Budget Meeting Minutes SignedOFFICE OF THE CITY CLE RK
Bl NCA L. T IR D O , C ITY CLERK
PERSONNEL & FINANCE
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:
Councilmembers Present:
Others Present:
Presenters:
Agenda:
AUGUST 13, 2025 5:30 P.M .
Sheila Niezgodski , Karen L. White *, Rachel
Tomas Morgan
Dr. Oliver Davis
Canneth Lee , Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers ,
Troy Warner *, Sherry Bolden-Simpson
Bianca L. Tirado , Matthew Neal , Margaret
Gotsch , Lari ' onna Green , Bob Palmer*
James Mueller, Darryl Scott, Matt Eckerle ,
Bianca Tirado ,
2026 City -Wide Budget Overview
Members marked with an asterisk(*) are in virtual attendance.
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0,0&mediaid=398903
Please note the attached link for the meeting presentations:
https://docs .southbendin.gov/WebLink/0/fol /395495 /Rowl.aspx?dbid =0&dbid =0&startid=395495&startid=3
95495&row=l&row=l
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski called to order the Personnel & Finance Committee meeting
at 5:30 P.M.
City Clerk Bianca L. Tirado announced: Good Evening, members of the public. If you would like
to speak during the meeting on a specific agenda item , please submit your request in the chat -
directions to do so are in the chat. We ask that you provide your [FULL NAME] and [ADDRESS],
as those are required for all speakers at in-person Council meetings.
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski provided information regarding the 2026 Budget Overview
process . City Residents can access the City Budget Survey to provide their input using the flowing
link : https ://southbendin.go vl budget. Additional questions pertaining to this meeting or the
J as min e J ac kso n
0-UEF D EPUTY OTY 0.ERK / 0-UEF OF STAFF
INTE GR IT Y I SERV ICE I ACC ESS IBILI TY
Ma llh ew Neal
D EPUTY OTY 0.ERK / D IRECTOR OF POLICY
Man,are l Colsc h
D IRECTOR OF SPEGAL PROJECTS
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1@ CITY O F SOlfrI--I BEND I OFFI CE OF THE CITY CLE RK
budget hearing can be emailed to the Personnel and Finance Committee Chair, Sheila Niezgodski ,
at sneizgodski (cv,southbendin.gov and they will be directed to the appropriate department. The
Final Budget Hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2025.
Mayor James Mueller, with offices on the 14 th floor of the County-City Building South Bend, IN
4660 l , presented to the Council and the public the Strategic Priorities for the City of So.uth Bend.
Mayor Mueller also discussed the context within which this budget was being developed. Mayor
Mueller stated that inflation has increased and the economy has stalled. New federal spending is
highly unlikely in the next couple of years. Mayor Mueller stated that some cuts will need to be
made in 2026 due to the Indiana Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) that was passed. Mayor Mueller stated that
he is unsure that today 's lawmarkers will pass a stimulus to get the economy moving . Mayor
Mueller presented a powerpoint presentation showcasing the Preliminary Analysis Income Tax
for the next three (3) years that compared and contrasted the calculations based on employed
population , number of households , certified local income tax revenues , and fire protection and
emergeny services (EMS) local income tax rates. One (1) main takeaway is that citizens of the
City will likely pay more for the same or lower service level (EMS and Fire Protection Services)
which could increase from one point seven-five percent (1.75%) to two point nine percent (2.9%)
in the next three (3) years. Mayjor Mueller gave a bried overview of the 2026 Projected Revenues
and showcased the departmental budget cuts.
Committee Chair Niezgodski asked for clarification on the local income tax portion of the
presentation.
Matt Eckerle , Principal at Baker Tilly (BT) with offices at 9229 Delegates Row, Indianpolis , IN
46240 , provided a brief overview of the analysis of the local income tax revenues over the next
three (3) years. Matt Eckerle stated that , with respect to the increases citizens would incur for
EMS and Fire Protections Services , the Department of Revenue is still working on generating the
data at that level so that estimates can be made based on actual Department of Revenue data.
Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan asked if this is the worse case scenario and what
would be something to look forward to.
Matt Eckerle stated that is a good way to simplify it but BT is conservative when assessing growth
levels and the focus would be on other revenue sources being made more available .
Mayor Mueller provided a brief synopsis of the presentation and thanked the Council.
Committee Member Karen L. White made a few observations and asked if the 2026 budget
reflects a hiring freeze.
Mayor Mueller stated the hiring freeze is based off of vacancies.
Committee Member White clarified that some departments were asked to cut five percent (5%).
Mayor Mueller stated that was the instruction for for the department 's budget that are supported
by property taxes or income taxes .
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Committee Chair Niezgodski clarified that these numbers could change due to changes still being
made .
Mayjor Mueller stated yes.
Committee Chair Niezgodski opened the public hearing.
Mark Piasecki , 101 Conestoga Lane , South Bend , [N 46617 , spoke in opposition to the SB 1.
Committee Chair Niezgodski closed the public hearing and asked Council for comments .
Council President Canneth Lee thanked Mayor Mueller and Matt Eckerle for their presentation.
Committee Chair adjured the next presenter to showcase their presentation.
City C lerk Bianca Tirado with offices on the 14 th floor of the County-City Building South Bend ,
IN 46601 , provided an overview of the Clerk 's Office proposed 2026 budget while presenting a
PowerPoint that showcased an organizational chart and a breakdown of current staff and their
roles. Clerk Tirado presented the final budget cut to be three point two percent (3.2%) and asked
for questions or comments from Council or the public.
Committee Member White thanked Clerk Tirado.
Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke.
Committee Member Tomas Morgan expressed gratitude to Clerk Tirado for viewing the budget
with scrutiny .
Committee Chair adjured the next presenter to showcase their presentation .
C ouncil President Lee with offices on the 14 th floor of the County -City Building, South Bend , IN
46601 , provided an overview of the Common Council 's proposed 2026 budget while presenting
a PowerPoint that showcased the Council 's goals with emphasis on the following: neighborhood
revitalization and housing stability, public health and environmental justice , public safety and
community policing , infrastructure improvements , education and youth empowerment,
transportation and mobility, economic development and job training , parks , recreation , and green
spaces , community en gagment and civic empowerment, historic and cultiral preservation.
Council President Lee presented the final budget cut to be eleven point three percent (11 .3%) and
asked for questions or comments from Council or the public.
Committee Member Tomas Morgan asked what expenses fall under the category of other services
and charges .
Clerk Tirado stated that advertisements and sponsorships come out of that account.
Committee Member Tomas Morgan asked if there was a decrease in fringe benefits.
K y le Willis , City Controller, with offices on the 12 th floor of the County -City Building, South
Bend , IN 46601 stated that the budget for health insurance has decreased because the budget was
initially higher than it should be based on discussions had with the City 's insurance broker.
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(~ CHY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF 1 HE CITI CLERK
Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke .
Committee Chair adjured the next presenter to showcase their presentation.
Darryl Scott , Mayor 's Office Chief of Staff, with offices on the 14 th floor of the County-City
Building , South Bend , [N 46601 , stated that he will be presenting the Mayor 's Office, Office of
Diversity and Inclusion , and the Community Police Review Board (CPRB). Darryl Scott provided
an overview of the Mayor's Office proposed 2026 budget while presenting a PowerPoint that
showcased an organizational chart and spoke regarding current staff and their roles. Darryl Scott
presented the final budget cut to be point three-two percent (.32%) and asked for questions or
comments from Council or the public.
Committee Member White thanked Darryl Scott for the presentation.
Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke.
Committee Chair Niezgodski asked if the other services and charges budget line increased due to
an outreach South Bend is having with other cities.
Darryl Scott stated yes.
Darryl Scott summarized the proposed 2026 budget for the Diversity and Inclusion's Office while
presenting a PowerPoint that showcased the budget overview and provided a budget summary.
Darryl Scott presented the final budget cut to be forty-six point six-three percent (46.63%) and
asked for questions or comments from Council or the public.
Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers asked why the office does not have a budget for
maintenance and repairs.
Darryl Scott stated that with the move to the new city they do not anticipate any repairs.
Council President Lee asked how the office will move forward without the Compliance Officer
role.
Darryl Scott stated that the office has been working closely with the Legal Department to ensure
minimal disruptions .
Committee Member Tomas Morgan asked for clarity on the education and training budget.
Darryl Scott stated that the training is not necessary but puts the staff in a better position to carry
out the mission of the office.
Committee Member White stated that the office may need to address federal and state compliance
requirements.
Committee Chair Niezgodski asked if the Director position will be filled and how many positions
are in the office.
Darryl Scott stated that the office will keep the role in the budget while they explore different
options and the office has a total of three (3) positions.
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Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke .
Committee Chair Niezgodski expressed concern regarding the large budget cut.
Mayor Mueller explained that the larger budget cut is because the Compliance Officer's role is
being funded through the Administration and Finance Department.
Darryl Scott summarized the Community Police Review Board's proposed 2026 budget while
presenting a PowerPoint that showcased the budget overview and provided a budget summary.
Darryl Scott presented the final budget cut to be four point nine-two percent ( 4.92%) and asked
for questions or comments from Council or the public.
Councilmember Gooden-Rodgers asked why the advertising and promotion budget is at zero
percent (0 .0 %)
Darry stated that Pastor King is active in the community and advertises the CPRB in addition to
having office hours on Friday.
Councilmember Gooden-Rodgers recommended promotion and creating a brochure.
Council President Lee stated there is an outcry for additional training and wants to know why the
budget line for training was cut.
Darryl Scott stated that there will be additional training in 2026 which is why they felt comfortable
making that level of budget cut.
Committee Chair Niezgodski stated she wants to know if the budget is sufficient to complete the
training.
Darryl Scott stated that Pastor King plans on providing virtual training in order to save resources.
Committee Member White asked what is included in professional services.
Darryl Scott stated he would follow up.
Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke.
Councilmember Gooden-Rodgers and Council President Lee stated that the CPRB is vital.
Committee Member Tomas Morgan thanked everyone for their presentations and scrutinizing
their budgets.
With no further business , Committee Chair Niezgodski adjourned the Personnel & Finance
Committee meeting at 7:35 P.M.
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