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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> clear and transparent as possible. I really appreciate the time and energy you've put into this budget
<br /> process. Each year, our goal is to make it better. Any questions that have been posed through the
<br /> public hearing process are on the website. We have all of the job descriptions, so Councilmembers,
<br /> if there is any other information you would like to have,again I did send out an email this afternoon
<br /> asking Council Members if they had any additional questions or concerns as we move towards the
<br /> completion of this year's budget process.
<br /> Councilmember Broden stated, Relative to South Bend Police, if we're looking at implementing
<br /> the tiered piece, and that looks like it will be a mid-year piece that comes before the Council, I
<br /> would like for us to reconsider something that is retroactive. Is it possible to take it back to January
<br /> 1St? Since I've been here, we've seen a lot of folks, department heads with budgets correcting
<br /> inequities, and I guess I would support looking at something that, even though we put it in place
<br /> in January, makes those increases retroactive to January 1.
<br /> Chief Ruszkowski asked, Do you want a response now, or do you want me to get back to you?
<br /> Any input is obviously welcome, but that is not something we've looked at. I'll look at it and get
<br /> back to you.
<br /> Committee Chair White opened the floor to the public for questions and comments.
<br /> Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, I gave you a list of twelve (12) things. Before I start, I wanted
<br /> to say I think the community paramedic idea is really great.It is needed and it is a good,innovative
<br /> way of helping meet those needs. I noticed in the reports there are no grand totals, so the Council
<br /> can't see the total scope of it. I also noticed that the $16,000 for each person in benefits is not
<br /> included, nor is a phone or tablet expense. When you add a person, that is part of the expense, so
<br /> I think those also need to be included in the totals.I think it would be helpful to do a cost projection
<br /> out five (5) years with at least a two percent (2%) annual increase so we can get an idea, since it
<br /> is really a multi-year thing.I would like an explanation for the$5,000 signing bonus in the Mayor's
<br /> Office and what it is for. I think there could be some consolidation on some of the management
<br /> layers. People are getting paid to manage one (1) or two (2) other people. I think maybe you need
<br /> to look at structure and make sure a manager is actually managing more people. You also need to
<br /> take into account this family leave program. I think it is great and needed, but you also need to
<br /> take into consideration, how sometimes it will skew a budget. For example, South Bend Animal
<br /> Care and Control had two (2)people on pregnancy leave,and that resulted in$45,000 in overtime.
<br /> It's a great program, but also adjust in the budget for the fact that sometimes it makes a ripple.
<br /> Perhaps,know which ones are funded by a grant.Also,Dr. Varner had brought up having a sliding
<br /> scale for pay increases, because a two percent (2%) increase for someone making $100,000 is
<br /> $2,000. A two percent(2%) increase for someone making$35,000 is only$700,because someone
<br /> making $35,000 really needs a raise more than the others. I'm a little concerned about having
<br /> inspectors report to the bosses. I think it is important for the inspectors to be independent. I am
<br /> concerned that there might be some cutting of corners. I think there is a check and balance to
<br /> having inspectors be separate and not report to their bosses. I ran off a report from the State
<br /> Gateway, and I wanted to remind you that it looks like you're scheduled to decide to spend $383
<br /> million, but the revenues are only expected to be $331 million, so that creates a $42 million gap
<br /> where you're spending $52 million more than you're expecting to bring in. When you're looking
<br /> at these things, this can't go on forever. There needs to be tightening somewhere, so I just want
<br /> you to be mindful that according to the State of Indiana,you're on track to spend$52 million more
<br /> than you have coming in.
<br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT
<br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011p 574.235.92211f574.235.91731TTD574.235.55671www.southbendin.gov
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