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CITY OFSOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> see, and the kinds of things you and Dawn are talking about, I think would be great. We started to
<br /> talk about that a long time ago and then, I don't think the technology was there to do it right.
<br /> He continued, Oh the intern program. I think that's been wonderful. I mean the potential that these
<br /> kids bring to the work that's done for the Clerk, and for the Council, is just amazing. And it's been
<br /> a delight to work with them, and actually learn from them. And there's one (1) more important
<br /> point I'm going to make here, and I'm going to make it quick. I don't think the Council gets paid
<br /> enough. And I know people say, well, you know, it's not politically popular to raise elected
<br /> officials' salaries. Or, I'm not going to take my salary. I'm going to give it to something else in the
<br /> City. That's all well and good, and more power to you. But when I started forty(40) years ago as
<br /> a City Councilman,we made$14,000 a year. In forty(40)years,going to$20,000 is not excessive.
<br /> And the job now, as compared to what we were asked to do forty(40) years ago is just a ton more
<br /> of involvement and work. So I think,before this budget gets voted on, I think we ought to consider
<br /> some kind of raise for the Council. And what a better time to do it,when five(5)people don't have
<br /> to incur the wrath of the voters in the voting booth. What I personally would propose is a $5,000
<br /> raise to bring everybody up to a $25,000 a year. And I if you really think about it, I don't think
<br /> that's excessive, because like I say, forty(40) years ago in 1980, we were at $14,000 now we're at
<br /> $20,000. Going to $25,000 is kind of making up, and if you don't want it, don't take it.
<br /> Committee Chair White stated,Thank you Mr.Voorde,I'm going to have to move forward because
<br /> I want to make sure that we give time for Eric because we invited him to come back.
<br /> Committeemember Regina Williams-Preston stated, Just to follow up on what Council Member
<br /> Voorde said,very seriously,it's something I've mentioned to some Council people too. I think that
<br /> it's something worth thinking about, in terms of issues of equity. In my role here in the last four
<br /> (4) years, I realized like you said, how much work this actually is. And if we're really interested,
<br /> and I don't imagine we're going to get that done now, but I think it's worth putting on record and
<br /> thinking about, if we're interested in having a body of people that's truly representative of the
<br /> people,people who don't make a whole lot of money but may have a lot of talents and gifts to give
<br /> an insight to a body like this, may not be able to work just for$20,000 or something to that effect.
<br /> You see what I'm saying? So it's just something to think about as we're moving forward, is that it
<br /> may be an issue of, how can we truly be representative of the people? Would there be a structure
<br /> that we could put in place? I know some Council Members have not taken their salary in the past,
<br /> that there'd be actually an option. Either you can have a salary that's maybe AMI, you know what
<br /> I'm saying? That's just the annual median income, and you can do that. But it's expected to be
<br /> essentially a full-time position, because the work is full-time. And then maybe you can either
<br /> choose to take a salary or not take a salary or something like that. But I think that again, thinking
<br /> forward and thinking about diversity and inclusion, it might be worth thinking about having a real
<br /> full-time salary for people to be able to do this work well. It's hard sharing full-time work and also
<br /> being on the Council. I'm done.
<br /> Council President Scott stated, I want to thank all of you. I thank you and respect you. You're all
<br /> doing this out of the love in your heart, not for the money. I understand what you're saying, and I
<br /> respect what you're saying on this, and Mr. Voorde as well. That is something to definitely
<br /> consider. But I know, and everybody that I've served on Council with,they've done it because out
<br /> of love in their heart for this City. And I appreciate it, and I thank everyone of you for doing that.
<br /> Committeemember Voorde stated, It's rewarding work.
<br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
<br /> 455 County-City Building 227W Jefferson Bvld South Bend.Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov
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