HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-21-08 Government Academy shows ins & outs of city budget
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
Thursday, August 21, 2008
9:00 AM
Contact:
Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
or Stephanie Achterberg, 235-9241
Government Academy shows ins & outs of city budget
As the City of South Bend faces one of its most challenging budget years, residents can
learn more about the details of the city’s operations and budget in the next Local
Government Academy, beginning Wednesday Sept. 10.
Presentations will focus on Quality of Life-related departments in the first four sessions,
with the final four sessions reviewing departments that provide general government
services, including a budget session with City Controller Catherine M. Fanello.
Session 3 Quality of Life Sept. 10 – Oct. 1 Wednesdays 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Session 4 Administration October 8 – 29 Wednesdays 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Session 3 will focus on the multiplicity of programs and services that make South Bend
the regional center, not only for government and business but also for arts, culture, sports,
and entertainment. This session will include presentations by the South Bend Parks and
Recreation Department, the Morris Performing Arts Center/Palais Royale Ballroom,
Coveleski Regional Stadium and will kick-off on Sept. 10 with a bus tour of current and
upcoming economic development sites led by staff from the Department of Community
and Economic Development.
Session 4 will focus on presentations from the Administration or General Government
Services departments and will run from Oct. 8 to Oct. 29. Representatives from the
Mayor’s Office, Legal Department, Human Rights, City Clerk/Common Council, and the
Administration & Finance department will make individual presentations.
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At a time when the City of South Bend faces the prospects of losing 27 percent of its
annual revenue for the general fund by 2010, Local Government Academy participants
can learn more about the city’s two-year spending plan.
“The South Bend Local Government Academy is a great opportunity for local residents
to get up close and behind the scenes of local government at work – a chance to learn
about the City of South Bend from the inside-out,” said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. “The
Academy offers a unique way for residents to witness how South Bend is moving
forward on all of these fronts and to offer ideas and suggestions for making South Bend
even greater.”
“Our goal, in present the Local Government Academy is to help residents gain a better
understanding of how government works and to encourage increased participation in
local government processes,” said City Attorney Chuck Leone. “Local government
provides a wide and vast array of services and the City of South Bend is leading the way
in developing new technology and utilizing more creative, efficient, and cost effective
methods for delivering services to the community.”
Classes run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Academy class size is limited to 25. Registration is
open until the sessions are full. Please contact the Mayor’s Office at 235-9261, the Legal
Dept. at 235-9241, or register on the web at www.southbendin.gov
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