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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> if we expect something to take three (3) years, each year that it gets carried forward, it will be <br /> included in the budget, it just won't necessarily need to be approved by Council. And so, you'll be <br /> able to see this project if it goes three (3), four(4), five (5), six (6) years you'll be able to see this <br /> project is stretching on and you'll be able to ask what is going on. <br /> Councilmember Dr. Davis followed up, Is there any other way, besides us being able to see in the <br /> budget, to have any other requirements to give some kind of update with that? Because my fear <br /> would be is that it would be forgotten in the budget because with everything else we have to do <br /> we could miss that. <br /> Mr. Parker replied, Well actually, I hear your question, and I think it's a good one (1). I think that <br /> this will enhance the ability of Council to make sure those kinds of items are attended to. You'll <br /> see it in the budget it'll already be approved but it'll be a part of the overall budget and you'll be <br /> able to see that the cash balance is sufficient to handle those additional capital projects. <br /> Councilmember Dr. Davis stated, I suggest it would be highlighted in some form or fashion so we <br /> will be able to know. <br /> Mr. Parker followed up, And these by and large projects that span multiple years are going to be <br /> large scale projects, like Howard Park is a great example. I would anticipate Council is going to <br /> be updated on it for other reasons beyond the budget as well. <br /> Committeemember Jo M. Broden stated, Thank you for your presentation and the work that went <br /> into it. You used the word significant in a number of your definitions with regard to the process <br /> going forward. What's your definition of significant and what's been communicated to staff <br /> regarding that? <br /> Mr. Parker replied, That's a good question as well. We didn't put a dollar value on it. From an <br /> accounting standpoint we have a dollar value of what defines a capital asset. So, that's what we're <br /> going to capitalize and put in our financial statements. We didn't define a specific dollar value <br /> because each department may have a different dollar value. What's significant to the Building <br /> Department may not be significant to the Department of Public Works.The values of those budgets <br /> are so different. What I will say is that every cent, whether it's significant or insignificant will be <br /> included in the budget package because you have the line level detail. But what gets highlighted <br /> is the capital requests that are significant one(1)time items that are not recurring. You'll see things <br /> like a lot of vehicles. So, there's a lot of vehicles, software implementation, things like that. <br /> Committeemember Broden followed up, And then the guidance from DLGF, was that by way of <br /> an audit recommendation? Or was that just independent,you caught it and now we're going to start <br /> implementing it? <br /> Mr. Parker replied, We're essentially independent. The DLGF puts on workshops where <br /> municipalities and counties can go to them and ask questions about how to appropriately <br /> implement budget. And this was something we had asked them because we had seen in the Indiana <br /> Code.They confirmed that we are allowed to do it this way. I think it lessens the burden on Council <br /> because what you will see is the project one(1)time, you'll approve the total amount and once that <br /> project gets approved,whether it takes one(1)year or two(2)years,the total amount won't change. <br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY j INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 227W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 8 <br />