HomeMy WebLinkAbout5C1 Budget Request (Annual MACOG Regional Land Bank Funding) - SignedSouth Bend
Redevelopment Commission
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana
Redevelopment Commission Agenda Item
DAT E : 4/20/2026
FROM: Joseph Molnar,
Deputy Director, Community Investment
SUBJECT: Budget Request – Landbank
Funding Source* (circle) River West; River East; South Side; Douglas Road; West Washington; RDC General; Riv. East Res.
* Funds are subject to the City Controller's determination of availability; if funds are unavailable, as solely determined by the City Controller,
then the authorization of the expenditure of such funds shall be void and of no effect.
PURPOSE OF REQUEST: Approval of $500,000 for the newly established Local Landbank
SPECIFICS: On March 23, 2026, the South Bend Common Council approved an Interlocal Agreement
between the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, and the Michiana Area Council of Governments to
established a Land Bank in St. Joseph County. This was the culmination of years of work and study within
our local community on the necessity of a locally controlled Land Bank. The purpose of the Land Bank is
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.
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. Specifically, the City is committed to contributing $500,000 in start up funds
to the newly established Land Bank.
This Budget Request appropriates the funding from the RDC General Fund fulfilling the City’s
commitment as outlined in the Interlocal Agreement. These funds will be used for site maintenance,
acquisitions, restorations, and other tasks needed of the Land Bank.
Staff recommends approval.
______________ ___________Pres/V-Pres
ATTEST: __________ _______ _
Date: _____________ _______
APPROVED Not Approved
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
April 23, 2026