09-25-17 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MEETING September 25 2017 REGULAR G P , Jennifer Hockenhull, City Controller, with offices on the 12th Floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter of this bill. Ms. Hockenhull stated, The bill before you has included in it the estimated levies that we are requesting. We are always told by Umbaugh& Associates to maximize our levies as best we can, so this is our best estimate for our levies. However, we know that they will be decreased, come February, but this is our best estimate. I also wanted to respond to a Mr. Murray who had asked a question today, in committee. Under the finance portion of the website, there is actually a property tax report that John Murphy has put together that's great. It's got great information in it and will answer a lot of residents' questions regarding the actual property tax rates and how they've gone up or gone down over the years. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked, In a nutshell for the community, how do you arrive at your best estimate? Ms. Hockenhull responded, We go ahead and put all of our estimated budget information into Gateway, which is the Department of Local Government Finance's website. We put that in, we bump it up a little bit in a lot of categories just to make sure that if we have any changes between when we advertise—which was September 10—online and when we finally pass the budget on October 23rd, we want to make sure we have wiggle room in there to move things up or down. Within the DLGF website, it actually allows us to calculate what our maximum levy would be. Dr. Varner had asked earlier about the maximum increase, I believe that was the question? Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, There's a State limit which is provided through the State legislature every year. It's come to us and we have to operate within that. Ms. Hockenhull responded, Yes. It's roughly four percent (4%). Councilmember Dr. Varner asked, This year it's four percent(4%)? Ms. Hockenhull responded, Yes, but it will be changed with the property tax caps- Councilmember Dr. Varner responded, Thanks. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. None from the public wished to speak in favor of or in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Randy Kelly made a motion to send Substitute Bill No. 50-17 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 51-17 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING MONIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE CIVIL CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FOR DECEMBER 31, 2018 INCLUDING ALL OUTSTANDING CLAIMS AND OBLIGATIONS, AND FIXING A TIME WHEN THE SAME SHALL TAKE EFFECT Councilmember Tim Scott made a motion to continue Bill No. 51-17 to October 9th, 2017. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. 52-17 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING 12