03-2006 Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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SOUTHA11 . BEND MAaCti 2006 MAYOR SSS"P P�u/ecke Letter from the Mayor THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter Getting Things Done...Behind the Scenes New City website Goes Live! Adopt-A-Block Program Dear Neighbors: Riverbank Cleanup This past year has been a time for getting things done all around the Clean Your Files Day 2006 city. There are a multitude of ways that we are taking care of business - Spring Cleanup For A Good Cause from providing daily services efficiently and effectively,to partnering with National Youth Service Day neighborhoods, businesses and institutions for new investment and jobs, to resolving legacy issues that have been on the public agenda for decades. here. now. I am proud of our City workforce. We are committed to continuous f improvement through training and providing the best tools for our workers. Several of our departments perform behind-the-scenes work. They allow other departments to shine—it's like being a pit crew at the Indy 500, or the grounds crew at the Masters. Their work is important, but not in the spotlight. Our Legal staff provides support and advice to all departments and divisions of the City, as well as to numerous boards, commissions and n 1 1 t h R fiLLL1.LQl goy authorities. They send out the Nuisance and Drug House letters, 310 in 2005, which help to make our neighborhoods safer by keeping pressure on The City's new website is now online! disruptive behavior. They also investigate and defend claims against the With a new domain name, new look, and City. Last year the number of new claims filed was down 15% from 2004, more features and information, we are truly at its lowest since I have been Mayor. Much of this is due to better safety offering 21' Century services to our resi- procedures, training and management for front line workers. dents. Visit the new site to find out more The Department of Administration and Finance—the Controller's about these great features and services group—includes Human Resources, Information Technology (IT), Benefits available onlinel and general finance functions. We are far ahead of other municipal finance departments. We continue to win awards for financial reporting with our Features Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Performance Based Budget. • New name & design We are doing cost saving analyses of telephone usage and take home cars. • Enhanced information and navigation Our internal audit function reviews processes and procedures to make sure - New online services: that we are complying with all requirements,but also to help us operate - Access utility accounts, business license more efficiently. Through Human Resources we will review all staff information training to make sure that we are giving our staff the tools that they need to - Pay city fees and fines online be effective. We often kid that the job of the Controller is to say "No,no, - Online forms no,"but there is a spirit of saying "Yes"in the department that will help all - Information request tracking City departments find the resources they need to serve our customers well. - Secure customer information Over the next couple of months I will update you on the progress that Benefits our departments are making to help bring you the best, most effective • Streamlines citizen access to government services possible. I will also report on what we are doing to keep South . 3 clicks or less to anything you need Bend the leader in our region for commerce, business development, health . 24/7 access to services & information and education, arts, culture, sports, and entertainment. South Bend is my . Improved customer service and relations hometown. It's your hometown. It's our hometown. Let's all take respon- sibility for making it better. SI USTED NO ENTIENDE INGLES YNECESITA Sincerely, AYUDAPARATRADUCIRESTEDOCUN ENTO,O SI TIENE ALGUNA PREGUNTA, POR FAVOR LLAMEAL SR FEDERICO THON(ASISTENTEDEL Mayor Steve ALCALDE)ALTELEFONO(574)235-5858X1000. Visit Our New Website at www.SouthBendIN.gov!