HomeMy WebLinkAbout11230-25 2026 TRANSPO Budget Appropriation and Property Tax Levy ORDINANCE No .
11230_25
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
October 27, 20 25
Attest: AMIL/4-• City Clerk
Bianca L. Tirado
-4 Attest: ZPresident of Common Council
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
October 28, 20 25
itItebuk j j • C% ✓ City Clerk
Bianca L. Tirado
Approved and signed by me 0 c t ( 3')/ 20 25
)7 114rNY Mayor
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BILL NO. 57-25
ORDINANCE NO. 11230-25
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA, APPROPRIATING,ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE SOUTH BEND
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION'S 2026 BUDGET AND LEVYING THE
TAX AND FIXING THE RATE OF THE TAXATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF
RAISING REVENUE TO FUND THE SOUTH BEND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
CORPORATION, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 2026
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
Pursuant to Indiana law, the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation is required to submit
its proposed budget and tax levy to the Common Council of the City of South Bend for adoption.
Specifically, Indiana Code § 6-1.1-17-20 requires that the South Bend Public Transportation
Corporation, as a political subdivision governed by a majority of unelected officials, submit its
proposed budget and property tax levy to the Common Council of the City of South Bend.
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 6-1.1-17-20(e), the Common Council of the City of South Bend is
required to review the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation's budget and proposed tax
levy and adopt a final budget and tax levy for the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, as follows:
SECTION I. The South Bend Public Transportation Corporation's budget for the
year ending December 31, 2026, in the sum of$13,532,365, as shown in the budget filed
with the Common Council on September 3,2025,and attached to this Ordinance as Exhibit
A, is appropriated, adopted, approved and ordered set apart out of the several funds herein
named and for the purposes herein specified, subject to the laws governing the same. Such
sums herein appropriated shall be held to include all expenditures authorized to be made
during the year,unless otherwise expressly stipulated and provided for by law.By adoption
of and consistent with this Ordinance, the State-mandated Budget Form No. 4 attached to
this Ordinance as Exhibit B is hereby approved and adopted.
SECTION II. For the purpose of raising revenue to meet the necessary expenses
of the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation, there shall be levied a property tax
upon each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of taxable property within the City of
South Bend, Indiana, for the fiscal year 2025 to be collected in the year 2026, as shown
and described in Exhibit B.
SECTION III. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage by the Common Council of the City of South Bend and approved by the Mayor.
7
Canneth J. Lee, Council President
South Bend Common Council
Attest:
Bianca L. Tirado, ity Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend, Indiana on the 28th day of October , 2025, at 12 o'clock p.m.
Bianca L. Tirado, City lerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the 3 43 day of 'LW, , 2025, at 2 o'clock
m.
James ueller, Mayor
City South Bend, Indiana
Ad&
ili . transpo
south bend public
transportation corporation
2026 FISCAL OPERATING & CAPITAL BUDGET
January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
Prepared By
South Bend Public Transportation Corporation
SOUTH BEND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET REQUEST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BUDGET ESTIMATE FOR 2026
PROJECTIONS / ASSUMPTIONS
2026 Revenue Projection 1
2026 Expense Projection 2
2026 Appropriations 3
2026 Budget Assumptions 4
2026 Budget Policy Statements 6
2026 Budget Summaries by Category — All Accounts 7-14
SOUTH BEND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION
2026 REVENUE PROJECTION
%CHANGE-2024 BUDGET vs.
ACTUAL 2023 _
2026 2025 2024 2025 2024
SOURCE BUDGET BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET ACTUAL
FAREBOX $ 1,494,777 '$ 1,406,375 $ 1,422,834 6.29% 5.06%
$ -
1
ADVERTISING $ 271,665 $ 262,493 $ 281,224 3.49% -3.40%
LEASE REVENUE $ 15,318 $ 25,963 $ 14,566 -41.00% 5.16%
CONCESSIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS $ 24,600 $ 24,600 $ 9,947 0.00% 147.31%
INTEREST INCOME $ 2,704 $ 2.704 $ 43,950 0.00% -93.85%
PROPERTY TAX $ 4,053,116 $ 4,065,115 $ 3,985,853 -0.30% 1.69%
LICENSE EXCISE TAX $ 260,000 $ 260,000 $ 249,946 0,00% 4.02%
$
LOCAL INCOME TAX $ 739,168 $ 808,971 $ 764,444 -8.63% -3.31%
STATE ASSISTANCE $ 2,080,062 $ 2,060,889 $ 2,080,062 0.93% 0.00%
FEDERAL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE $ 1,250,000 $ 1,250,000 $ 1,081,000 0% 15.63%
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE $ 2,284,955 $ 1,934,955 $ 1,791,200 18% 27.57%
LEASE PAYMENT FROM CITY $ . - $ 145,205 $ 200,000 -20% -100.00%
TOTAL $ 12,476,365 $ 12,247,942 $ 11,925,026 1.86% 4.62%
1
SOUTH BEND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION
2026 EXPENSE PROJECTION
%CHANGE-2025 BUDGET VS.
ACTUAL 2024
2026 2025 2024 2025 2024
Expense Category BUDGET BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET ACTUAL
Salaries & Wages $ 6,888,585 $ 6,890,525 $ 6,371,680 -0.03% 8.11%
Fringe Benefits $ 2,626,015 $ 2,530,854 $ 2,130,046 3.76% 23.28%
Services $ 872,952 $ 752,309 $ 985,210 16.04% -11.39%
Materials & Supplies $ 906,228 $ 885,669 $ 873,272 2.32% 3.77%
Utilities $ 427,000 $ 396,000 $ 337,335 7.83% 26.58%
Insurance $ 643,285 $ 678,285 $ 546,125 -5.16% 17.79%
Other Taxes
Miscellaneous $ 112,300 $ 111,300 $ 90,377 0.90% 24.26%
SUB-TOTAL $ 12,476,365 $12,244,943 $ 11,334,045 1.89% 10.08%
Transfer- Capital Improvements I Reserve for Liability $ -
TOTAL I $ 12,476,365 $12,244,942 $ 11,334,045 1.89% 10.08%
2
TRANSPO
Budgeted Appropriations
Operating Budget Capital Budget Total 2026
Category 2026 2025 2026 2025 Appropriations
Personnel Services 9,514,600 9,421,379 9,514,600
Other Services and Charges 2,055,537 1,937,894 2,055,537
Supplies 906,228 885,669 906,228
Capital Outlays 54,860 268,000 1,001,140 1,340,000 1,056,000
Total Appropriations $12,531,225 $12,512,943 $ 1,001,140 $1,340,000 $ 13,532,365
3
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transpo
2026 OPERATING BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS
REVENUES:
Federal, State, and Local: Transpo continues to avail ourselves of annual federal
capital formula grant funds for preventative maintenance and operating assistance. The
application of such funds towards the operating budget assists with offsetting any
increased expenses. In the past year, expenses have been increasing greater than
revenues. This has increased the challenge of providing a balanced budget. Transpo
will continue to pursue competitive grant opportunities to fund capital improvements and
expenses.
Ridership and Revenue: Transpo, like public transportation agencies across the
country, continues to rebuild ridership following the COVID-19 Pandemic. The 2022
ridership was 72% pre-pandemic ridership and continued to increase into 2024 where
ridership was 88% of pre covid numbers.
In June of 2025, Transpo implemented the Connect Transit plan. It is still early in the
implementation process to determine the effects it has on ridership and expenses.
EXPENSES:
Employee Wages and Benefits: For 2026, Transpo budgeted an increase in wages
and employee benefits from the 2025 budget. Wage increases are dictated by
Collective bargaining agreements. Health insurance premiums have remained
unchanged, for the fifth year in a row, in the 2026 budget.
Transfer — Capital Improvement Fund/Restricted Liability Reserve: The 2026
budget does not provide the opportunity to transfer funds into the capital account to fund
capital purchases. If at the end of 2026, a budget surplus would occur, the surplus
would be transferred to the capital account to fund 2027 capital purchases.
UPON THE ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET BY THE SOUTH
BEND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, A
MONTHLY BUDGET, BASED ON HISTORICAL AND FUTURE TRENDS,
4
IS WILL
R OF ESTABLISHED.FINANCIAL HREPORTS HELP FACILITATE
BOARD MONTHLY
REVIEWMEMBERS AND
INTERNAL MANAGEMENT.
5
Ask
transpo
2026 OPERATING BUDGET POLICY STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL CAPACITY:
1. Management will continue to search for investment, grant and funding
opportunities to maximize revenues.
2. Management will assure cash handling practices to safeguard funds in its
protection and toward timely collection of funds owed.
SERVICE POLICY:
3. Transpo, in partnership with MACOG, completed the CONNECT Transit Plan
operational analysis in 2023. The Transpo Board of Directors approved both the
Short-Term Network and Additional Funding Network. Transpo implemented the
changes on June 2,2025.
4. Access service will be provided in accordance with all applicable FTA guidelines.
MANAGEMENT:
5. A professional workforce will carry out our Mission Statement. Management will
assure fairness, consistency, and effective Equal Employment Opportunity and
Affirmative Action policies and practices.
6. Assumes continuation of team development, employee recognition, and
increased opportunities for employee training.
7. Assumes continued pursuit of programs of wellness and accident prevention in
an effort to stem, to whatever extent possible, rising insurance costs.
6
TRANSPO
2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION
DEPARTMENT: All
ACCOUNT TITLE: Salaries &Wages Summary
2024 ACTUAL $ 6,371,680 2026 BUDGET REQUEST $ 6,888,585
2025 MONTHLY AVERAGE $ 524,044 2025 APPROVED BUDGET $ 6,890,524
2025 EST EXPENSE $ 6,288,525 BUDGET CHANGE $ (1,939)
Account Title 2025 2026
Operations-Fixed Route $ 3,786,246 $ 3,800.163
Operations-ADA 749,596 775,748
Operations-Administration 457,903 383,424
Maintenance-Vehicles 1,071,181 1,080,662
Maintenance-Administration 142,751 145,996
Maintenance-Non-Revenue 114,751 118,414
General Administration 568,094 584,178
Total $ 6,890,524 $ 6,888,585
7
TRANSPO
2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION
DEPARTMENT: All
ACCOUNT TITLE: Fringe Benefits Summary
2024 ACTUAL $ 2,130,046 2026 BUDGET REQUEST $ 2,626,015
2025 MONTHLY AVERAGE $ 210,892 2025 APPROVED BUDGET $ 2,530,854
2025 EST EXPENSE $ 2,530,710 BUDGET CHANGE $ 95,161
Account Title 2025 2026
Fringe Benefits-FICA $ 527,125 $ 526,977
Fringe Benefits-Pension Plan 352,176 348,295
Fringe Benefits-Medical Insurance 1,311,632 1,316,352
Fringe Benefits- Dental Insurance 51,093 54,000
Fringe Benefits--Life Insurance 57,728 57,294
Fringe Benefits-Short Term Disability 7,096 7,008
Fringe Benefits-Unemployment Insurance 11,032 10,818
Fringe Benefits-Workman's Compensation 160,462 253,421
Fringe Benefits-Uniforms 46,510 45,850
Fringe Benefits- Tool Allowance 6,000 6,000
Total $2,530,854 $ 2,626,015
8
TRANSPO
2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION
DEPARTMENT: All
ACCOUNT TITLE: Services Summary
2024 ACTUAL $ 985,210 2026 BUDGET REQUEST $ 872,952
2025 MONTHLY AVERAGE $ 77,572 2025 APPROVED BUDGET $ 752,309
2025 EST EXPENSE $ 1,022,121 BUDGET CHANGE $ 120,643
Account Title 2025 2026
Professional & Technical 140,369 165,369
Board Travel/Training 2,000 2,000
Temporary Help 2,500 2,500
Contract Services Operations 54,850 58,850
Contract Services Maintenance 294,700 308,700
Contract Services Administration 164,800 198,800
Security Services 93,090 136,733
Physical Damage Repairs 20,000 20,000
Recoveries of Physical Damage Repairs (20,000) (20,000)
Total $ 752,309 $ 872,952
9
TRANSPO
2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION
DEPARTMENT: All
ACCOUNT TITLE: Materials & Supplies Summary
2024 ACTUAL $ 873,272 2026 BUDGET REQUEST $ 906,228
2025 MONTHLY AVERAGE $ 69,194 2025 APPROVED BUDGET $ 885,669
2025 EST EXPENSE $ 830,325 BUDGET CHANGE $ 20,559
Account Title 2025 2026
Fuel & Lubricants Operations $ 496,082 $ 469,004
Fuel & Lubricants Maintenance 16,027 13,364
Tires & Tubes Maintenance 2,560 2,560
Materials & Supplies Operations 10,000 10,000
Materials & Supplies Maintenance 320,000 370,000
Materials & Supplies Marketing 17,000 17,000
Other Materials & Supplies Operations 7,500 7,800
Other Materials & Supplies Maintenance 2,600 2,600
Other Materials & Supplies Administration 13,900 13,900
Total $ 885,669 $ 906,228
10
TRANSPO
2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION
DEPARTMENT: Administration & Maintenance
ACCOUNT TITLE: Utilities
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 505-0x50-00 505-0x2x-00
2024 ACTUAL $ 337,335 2026 BUDGET REQUEST $ 427,000
2025 MONTHLY AVERAGE $ 38,646 2025 APPROVED BUDGET $ 396,000
2025 EST EXPENSE $ 463,753 BUDGET CHANGE $ 31,000
Account Title 2025 2026
Electricity $ 225,000 $ 240,000
Water & Sewage $ 18,000 $ 18,000
Trash Collection $ 6,000 $ 7,000
Telephone $ 47,000 $ 47,000
Natural Gas $ 100,000 $ 115,000
Totals $ 396,000 $ 427,000
11
TRANSPO
2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION
DEPARTMENT: All
ACCOUNT TITLE: Insurance Summary
2024 ACTUAL $ 546,125 2026 BUDGET REQUEST $ 643,285
2025 MONTHLY AVERAGE $ 56,059 2025 APPROVED BUDGET $ 678,285
2025 EST EXPENSE $ 672,710 BUDGET CHANGE $ (35,000)
Insurance - Liability & Physical Damage/Corporate Insurance $ 643,285
Other Corporate Insurance -
Total $ 643,285
12
TRANSPO
2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION
DEPARTMENT: All
ACCOUNT TITLE: Miscellaneous Summary
2024 ACTUAL $ 90,377 2026 BUDGET REQUEST $ 112,300
2025 MONTHLY AVERAGE $ 7,719 2025 APPROVED BUDGET $ 111,300
2025 EST EXPENSE $ 108,300 BUDGET CHANGE $ 1,000
Account Title 2025 2026
Dues & Subscriptions $ 17,300 $ 18,300
Travel & Meetings 12,500 12,500
Community Services 12,000 12,000
Promotion 14,000 14,000
Advertising Placements 45,500 45,500
Interest Expense on Tax Warrants/Loans 10,000 10,000
Total $ 111,300 $ 112,300
13
TRANSPO
2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION
DEPARTMENT: All
ACCOUNT TITLE: Passenger Fares Summary
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 413-0100-00
2024 ACTUAL: $ 1,422,834 2026 BUDGET REQUEST $ 1,494,777
2025 AVERAGE: $ 121,347 2025 APPROVED BUDGET $ 1,406,375
2025 ESTIMATED: $ 1,456,167 BUDGET CHANGE: $ 88,402
Account Title 2025 2026
Passenger Revenue $ 652,962 $ 691,789
Access Passenger Revenue 39,892 39,194
Access Punch Card Revenue 73,302 72,632
Passport Revenue 262,851 287,883
Student Pass Revenue 1,680 -
Tripper Revenue 227,065 236,114
Two Week Pass 63,042 65,589
One Day Pass 85,581 101,576
Student Summer Pass - -
$ 1,406,375 $ 1,494,777
14
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION FOR APPROPRIATIONS AND TAX RATES
State Form 55865(7-15) Budget Form No.4
Approved by the State Board of Accounts,2015
Generated 11/3/2025 3:40:44 PM
Prescribed by the Department of Local Government Finance
Ordinance/Resolution Number: 57-25
Be it ordained/resolved by the South Bend Common-Council that for the expenses of SOUTH BEND PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION for the year ending December 31, 2026 the sums herein specified are hereby appropriated and ordered set
apart out of the several funds herein named and for the purposes herein specified, subject to the laws governing the same.Such
sums herein appropriated shall be held to include all expenditures authorized to be made during the year, unless otherwise
expressly stipulated and provided for by law. In addition,for the purposes of raising revenue to meet the necessary expenses of
SOUTH BEND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION,the property tax levies and property tax rates as herein specified are included
herein.Budget Form 4-B for all funds must be completed and submitted in the manner prescribed by the Department of Local
Government Finance.
This ordinance/resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval by the South Bend Common-
Council.
Name of Adopting Entity/Fiscal Body Type of Adopting Entity/Fiscal Body Date of Adoption
South Bend Common-Council I Common Council and Mayor 10/27/2025
Fund Fund Name Adopted Adopted Tax Adopted Tax
Code Budget Levy Rate
8001 SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION GEN $12,496,365 $6,155,786 0.1121
8090 SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION $1,056,000 $0 0.0000
CUMULATIVE
$13,552,365 $6,155,786 0.1121
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION FOR APPROPRIATIONS AND TAX RATES
State Form 55865(7-15) Budget Form No.4
Approved by the State Board of Accounts,2015 Generated 11/3/2025 3:40:44 PM
Prescribed by the Department of Local Government Finance
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Name Title Signature
Bianca Tirado City Clerk �/ ���,L
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In accordance with IC 6-1.1-17-16(k),we state our intent to isssue debt after December 1 and before January 1 Yes ❑ No p
Ir accordance with IC 6-1.1-17-16(k),we state our intent to file a shortfall appeal after December 1 and before Yes ❑ No p
December 31