26-09 Resolution Approving the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of South Bend, the County of St. Joseph, and the Michiana Area Council of Governments Establishing a Land Bank Pursuant to Indiana Code Section 36-7-38 et seq.

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i�l_TFf jg ^(- CITY OF SOUTH BEND '' p ArF _ :,;" COMMUNITY INVESTMENT March 17, 2026 Filed in Clerk's Office Council Member Troy Warner Mar 18, 2026 Chairperson, Community Investment Committee South Bend Common Council Bianca l irado South Bend City Hall, 3rd Floor City Clerk South Bend, IN South Bend, Indiana 46601 RE: Interlocal Agreement: Establishment of the Regional Land Bank Dear Council Member Warner, Please find the enclosed Interlocal Agreement between the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, and the Michiana Area Council of Governments. For the past several years, St. Joseph County and the City of South Bend along with several partners have explored and studied the creation of a local Land Bank. The purpose of the Land Bank would be to acquire certain Tax Delinquent Property from the County to further the elimination of blight and its related impacts. The issue of blighted properties in our community has been a continuous concern from residents. A locally controlled Land Bank would provide a tool to support the reactivation of properties with a history of tax delinquency and blight upon our community. The MACOG Regional Land Bank would be established as a non-profit entity composed of a board appointed from various representatives of the County Commissioners, County Redevelopment Commission, Mayor of the City of South Bend, City of South Bend Redevelopment Commission, and the Michiana Area Council of Governments. In the Interlocal Agreement, the County agrees to provide certain tax sale certificates for tax delinquent properties as agreed upon by the Land Bank and the County. This will allow troubled properties to be removed from the continuous circulation on the tax sale. The City of South Bend and the Michiana Area Council of Governments commit to aiding in the creation of the Land Bank via funding operations and staffing of the Land Bank. City staff will present the Interlocal Agreement to the Community Investment Commission on March 23, 2026 for the consideration of the Committee. If you or other Council members have questions about the report or need additional information, please feel free to call me at(574) 245-6022. Sincerely, -Joseph Molnar Deputy Director, Department of Community Investment EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT South Dena C ty Hall.Suite 500 215 S.Mart n Luther King J-.Blvd SoJ:h Bend.IN 46601 p 574.235 9371 www.southbendrn.gov