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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> He continued, The last thing I want to talk about are capital expenditures. This is the third (3rd) <br /> bucket we are working to address the Fiscal Curb, and this revolves around a change in process on <br /> capital expenditures. Historically, capital budgeting has been done somewhat in silos, not <br /> dissimilar to operational budgeting. This year we are trying to attempt to do something different <br /> to prepare for 2020, in that we are already looking at capital budgeting Citywide. We are looking <br /> at departments to identify in 2020 what will be your capital needs. What projects do you think you <br /> will need in 2020? We are evaluating budget needs Citywide. We have said it a number of times, <br /> this is really a product of my deep seeded conviction that the budget process is the best way to <br /> exercise or showcase the City's strategic goals. Resource allocation follows strategic goals, we <br /> need to put in place a process that allows for that resource allocation. The last thing I want to <br /> mention regarding capital expenditures is that formal consideration of ongoing project operation <br /> costs is going to a part of the capital budget process. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, Thank you for your presentation. This was a good discussion. I <br /> know I have some additional questions. I want to ask the Council Members before we go to the <br /> public. When will we be negotiating for Police and Fire?We may want to factor that and teamsters <br /> is coming up sooner. We may want to give that thought into the budget as that will have an impact <br /> in regards to what the results may be with those unions as well. I am going to ask Council Members <br /> if you have any additional questions, reactions, and comments. I will begin with the third (3rd) <br /> district representative and go all the way down and then begin with the public. <br /> Councilmember Sharon L. McBride stated, Thank you for your presentation and I appreciate that <br /> we have been working very closely with Administration to understand how all of these things fit <br /> and how we can continue to work better together to be more transparent. I'm very thankful for <br /> Councilmember White, for having all of these budget series and having public input because there <br /> are a lot of moving parts to this. I want to repeat what you said that we are allocating our resources <br /> in all areas of South Bend in making sure we are spreading the wealth and looking at the issues <br /> with the economic disparities that we have within the City. I am excited to see that we are having <br /> these discussions and looking at the shift through a different lens. <br /> Committeemember Broden stated, I see the County budget was passed out as part the of handouts <br /> tonight. Relative to that, there are obviously some big decisions coming forward regarding <br /> renegotiating some contracting with 911. Relationship wise, some of the things we are tied to with <br /> the County in terms of interlocal. With regard to the hiring, and just overall, employees are a big <br /> part that is, with no surprise to anyone in the room. I am wondering if there are some other more <br /> beneficial ways to look at average cost per employee and salary and benefits. Is there a better more <br /> instructive way for the public to better understand that? There are some real outliers in terms of <br /> salary that the market drives because those folks could go elsewhere and then we are left without <br /> that skill set in the City. <br /> Mr. Parker responded, I am open to any suggestions on how to better present that. I do want to say <br /> that it's not the goal of the Administration to say we will be decreasing salaries and not giving <br /> raises or anything from that perspective. Because, to your point, that we are able to attract good <br /> people into the City who are productive and efficient which would actually pay dividends on the <br /> ability to operate the City. I don't want to say that we are skimming down on our employees. It is <br /> really about which positions can we allocate funds. <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 I p 574.235.9221 f 574 235 9173 I I U574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 16 <br />