5C1 Budget Request (Annual MACOG Regional Land Bank Funding) - Signed

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South Bend Redevelopment Commission 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana Redevelopment Commission Agenda Item DAT E : 4/20/2026 FROM: Joseph Molnar, Deputy Director, Community Investment SUBJECT: Budget Request – Landbank Funding Source* (circle) River West; River East; South Side; Douglas Road; West Washington; RDC General; Riv. East Res. * Funds are subject to the City Controller's determination of availability; if funds are unavailable, as solely determined by the City Controller, then the authorization of the expenditure of such funds shall be void and of no effect. PURPOSE OF REQUEST: Approval of $500,000 for the newly established Local Landbank SPECIFICS: On March 23, 2026, the South Bend Common Council approved an Interlocal Agreement between the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, and the Michiana Area Council of Governments to established a Land Bank in St. Joseph County. This was the culmination of years of work and study within our local community on the necessity of a locally controlled Land Bank. The purpose of the Land Bank is to acquire certain Tax Delinquent Property from the County to further the elimination of blight and its related impacts. The issue of blighted properties in our community has been a continuous concern from residents. A locally controlled Land Bank would provide a tool to support the reactivation of properties with a history of tax delinquency and blight upon our community. In the Interlocal Agreement, the County agrees to provide certain tax sale certificates for tax delinquent properties as agreed upon by the Land Bank and the County. This will allow troubled properties to be removed from the continuous circulation on the tax sale. The City of South Bend and the Michiana Area Council of Governments commit to aiding in the creation of the Land Bank via funding operations and staffing of the Land Bank. Specifically, the City is committed to contributing $500,000 in start up funds to the newly established Land Bank. This Budget Request appropriates the funding from the RDC General Fund fulfilling the City’s commitment as outlined in the Interlocal Agreement. These funds will be used for site maintenance, acquisitions, restorations, and other tasks needed of the Land Bank. Staff recommends approval. ______________ ___________Pres/V-Pres ATTEST: __________ _______ _ Date: _____________ _______ APPROVED Not Approved SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION April 23, 2026 