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SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 28, 1995
<br />Dame, a member of the Fiscal Study Committee, indicated that 22 of the 23 members
<br />agreed we needed additional revenue. Pat McMahon, Director of Project Future, he
<br />indicated they are trying to get businesses to move into the area, and we are in
<br />support of the tax. He indicated the area is losing its competitive edge. He
<br />indicated our municipality is maintaining, but not keeping its infrastructure up -to-
<br />date. He indicated the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka are not in a better
<br />revenue situation than the County, the two cities have been able to defer
<br />maintenance, but it is catching up. Aggie Farkas, 1533 McPherson St., spoke in favor
<br />of the resolutions. Pat O'Connor, principal of Edison Middle School, indicated we
<br />may have the income to survive, but we need to provide the things our children will
<br />need. Todd Gardner, 1635 Crestwood, spoke against the resolutions, he indicated that
<br />some people said the Fiscal Study Committee had concluded the County needs money. He
<br />indicated the County is in much better shape than projected. Linda Petill, 56121
<br />Birch Rd., Osceola, indicated there should be a Unigov system. James Philson, 1314
<br />E. Ewing, Barry Baumbaugh, 12032 Timberline Trace, Jim Rossow, 53100 Poppy Road,
<br />Kelly Haven, 12032 Timberline Trace; spoke against the resolutions. Jim Cierzniak,
<br />1156 E. Victoria, indicated he felt the building of the juvenile center and the jail
<br />should not have come at the same time. Wayne Liszewski, 714 28th St., indicated the
<br />public should vote on a tax. William Soderberg, 1515 E. Wayne, indicated when the
<br />option tax is brought before the Council it is always at the last minute. Council
<br />Member Luecke made a motion that the opponents could have additional time, and stop
<br />at 5:55 p.m., seconded by Council Member Coleman. The motion carried. Jerry Ivacic,
<br />2239 Topswood, indicated all County employees deserve a raise; and if the moneys
<br />raised from the option tax was used to fight crime he would be a supporter. Mayor
<br />Kernan in rebuttal indicated the Fiscal Study Committee had an accurate report. He
<br />indicated the City is accused of mismanagement. He indicated the City budgets need
<br />to have revenue larger than expenditures. He indicated the City has been accused of
<br />ramroding this tax, however, we have been talking about it for three years and have
<br />had numerous public hearings. He indicated that 1.2 million dollars goes to Elkhart
<br />County because we do not have an option tax in place. He indicated that City
<br />residents pay County taxes, however, County residents do not pay City taxes. Council
<br />President Ladewski announced that a petition in favor of the option tax had been
<br />filed with the Council, and it had a total of 99 signatures. Council Member Luecke
<br />indicated that some one had mentioned there should have been town hall meetings set
<br />up to discuss the option tax, however, he did not set up such a meeting in the First
<br />District because no one requested such a meeting. Council Member Kelly indicated the
<br />City is not addressing the infrastructure needs. Council Member Duda indicated she
<br />felt an option tax was needed, however, she had polled the community and they were
<br />against the tax. Council Member Washington indicated tax relief was necessary and
<br />the criminal justice system is in dire circumstances. Council Member Zakrzewski
<br />indicated the option tax has been discussed since 1984, in 1985 he voted in favor; in
<br />1992 he opposed COIT; but he had studied the County budget and this tax was needed.
<br />Council Member Puzzello indicated she had voted for the option tax two times, and was
<br />a member of the Fiscal Study Committee, and this tax is needed. Council Member
<br />Ladewski indicated he knew the County needs, and they can only be met with additional
<br />revenue. Council Member Luecke made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2226 -95,
<br />seconded by Council Member Coleman. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote
<br />of seven ayes and one nay (Council Member Duda.) Council Member Coleman made a
<br />motion to accept the substitute bill 95 -9, on file with the City Clerk, seconded by
<br />Council Member Luecke. The motion carried. Council Member Luecke made a motion to
<br />adopt the Resolution No. 2227 -95, as amended, seconded by Council Member Kelly. The
<br />resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of seven ayes and one nay (Council Member
<br />Duda.) Council Member Kelly made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2228 -95, seconded
<br />by Council Member Coleman. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of seven
<br />ayes and one nay (Council Member Duda.) Council Member Luecke made a motion remove
<br />items 6, 7, 8 from the agenda, seconded by Council Member Washington. The motion
<br />carried on a roll call vote of eight ayes.
<br />There being no further business to come before the Council unfinished or new, Council
<br />Member Luecke made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Washington. The
<br />motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
<br />ATTEST:
<br />City Clerk
<br />ATTEST
<br />S27
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