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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> amount of money in that Fund but I don't know, legally, what the requirements are and if you <br /> could use it for something like this. There may not be restrictions but I just don't know. I'm sorry <br /> about that. Generally speaking, you can use other funds. You could use bridge funding or other <br /> funds and perf to it. The issue is we have already done the budgets for 2019 so we would have to <br /> go back and adjust. You could either go into a fund that has an existing balance, use that fund and <br /> do a bridge funding for a six (6) month gap or you could do it forever. I was proposing to move <br /> ahead with this storm water fee because it's a sustainable fund and then it sets up the funding in <br /> perpetuity on a moving forward basis. I think the City has missed an opportunity years ago to <br /> establish a fund so that we can keep up with our infrastructure needs, including our storm water <br /> needs. That is why it is important, to me, to move forward with a funding source for storm water. <br /> Any funds that have the legal ability to fund storm water, which are quite a few in the City, would <br /> be eligible for gap funding. <br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, Colloquially we call it Rainy Day but we shouldn't be <br /> confused. <br /> Committee Chair Teshka then opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor <br /> of or in opposition to the legislation. <br /> Barb Sutton, 528 Ostemo Place, stated, We were part of the flood zone last year and we hope it <br /> doesn't happen again this year. Talking to a number of my neighbors, I just wanted to let you all <br /> know that we would very much approve of the two dollar($2)per month rate to start to have funds <br /> to correct our sewer issues. That is a pittance compared to the amount of funds needs to repair the <br /> damage. I think this would be a good start to get that going. I know people have been concerned <br /> about the additional cost. For some people, two dollars ($2) a month is simply utilities. Is there a <br /> way for people to apply for help if they are having trouble with their utilities because of this <br /> additional two dollars($2)? If that puts someone over the edge financially and they can't meet this <br /> obligation, could there be funds available to help folks out? That would be a discussion question <br /> at some point but I wanted to lend my support to the fee, as proposed. <br /> Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, stated, As I stated before, I think we need to look at the <br /> demographics of our City.We have a huge percentage of ALICE level poverty and we have seniors <br /> who are already deciding between their food and their prescriptions, but I don't want them to lose <br /> their houses. I'm particularly concerned that, unlike other utilities, this can attach to the property <br /> tax. I don't know if you can make it not attached to property taxes. That would be something to <br /> think about. I really think we need to look at other funding methods. I think we should limit how <br /> much it can be raised in the next five (5) years. I think it is tempting to start it at two dollars ($2) <br /> and, oh, and then four dollars ($4) and then, oh, eight dollars ($8) and then, oh, twenty dollars <br /> ($20). I think you need to be really clear about the escalation and put some breaks on that. <br /> Whatever ordinance you are deciding I think you need to put some caps and parameters on how it <br /> can be raised. Don't attach it to the property tax and limit how much it can be raised. I think there <br /> is time to consider. There's not even software to put it into place. I don't think there is a huge <br /> hurry. I think you can continue it to 2019. It's not a big deal because we aren't going to start <br /> funding it anyway with the fees to people. I would hate for Council to rush into it without thinking <br /> about all the options. I would also like to point out, and I printed this out today, in terms of bonds <br /> for sewer and water, $73,865,311. So we've got close to $74 million that we owe already and I <br /> don't know if there can be a refunding of some of the bonds to wrap it in. Sometimes that is another <br /> funding mechanism to change a bond and extend it or whatever. I just really hate seeing the fee <br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 2 <br />