11-13-72 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 1972 RESOLUTION NO. 340 -72 (CONTINUED) SECTION II. That the following accounts be increased in the amounts set opposite said account to -wit: ACCT. NO. 11 13 221 372 64 CLASSIFICATION Services Personal Services Personal Services Contractual Supplies Current Obligations ITEM AMOUNT Salaries $2,491.82 Overtime 4,143.74 Electric Current 4,305.00 Zoo Feed 480.00 Employees Group Insurance 6,000.00 $17,420.56 That the transfer of funds as set forth in Sections 1 and 2 are required for the proper and efficient operation and function of the Department of Public Parks of South Bend and an extraordinary emergency is declared to exist concerning the foregoing transfer. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council of the City of South Bend. /s/ Peter J. Nemeth Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Mr. Robert Niezgodski, Assistant Superintendent of Parks, Business, said that this transfer is needed for the operation of the Park Department for the balance of the year. The transfer in the Services Personal Account is needed to balance the accounts in the Controller's office with the Park ledger, because of some computer errors. The transfer to the Zoo Feed account is needed to pay a bill received in October for horse meat. The transfer in the Group Insurance Account is needed because of the increased cost of employees group insurance. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of nine ayes (Councilmen Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Parent, Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath, Newburn and Nemeth). RESOLUTION NO. 341 -72 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE DESIRE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR A REDUCTION OF 11� IN THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR 1973. WHEREAS, the City of South Bend will be receiving certain federal monies under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, commonly referred to as Revenue Sharing; and WHEREAS, the Common Council is interested in applying a portion of said funds to direct property tax relief for 1973; and WHEREAS, the Common Council desires to publicly express its intent to reduce 114� from the tax rate for 1973; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend: SECTION I. That the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners be requested to eliminate the 11l� property tax rate for the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund, �x�r3- ess- -sai- e3- 3- i- ior- �votx -l--r� e-e amotrn of- xe --str- ice}- �xe�� -- pay- a�- l�0- �3o- f- rxt-i- on the basis that the Common Council will apply revenue sharing funds to replace said monies in said fund. SECTION II. That a copy of this Resolution be presented to the Indiana State Board of Tax Com- missioners at their Public Hearing concerning the tax rate for the City of South Bend. /s/ Peter J. Nemeth Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Vice President Walter Szymkowiak took the chair so that Council President Peter J. Nemeth could make the presentation for the resolution. Mr. Nemeth said that Revenue Sharing places a tremendous responsibility on the Council. It gives local government a chance to show that it is competent to handle revenue sharing funds. The federal government will be watching closely. The public hearing held on Revenue Sharing clearly indicated that the citizens feel first priority should go to direct property tax relief. This resolution would reduce the 11l� levy for the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund from the 1973 budget, with the money to be replaced from the revenue sharing funds. The MVH Fund was not on the tax rate in previous years but the present Governor took away the motor vehicle funds and it was necessary to fund this department with local property taxes. It is hoped that the new governor might be persuaded to release these funds to the cities. The State Board of Tax Commissioners will hold hearings this week in South Bend and it is important that we go on record with our intention to reduce the rate for 1973, in the event that money comes back from the State of Indiana too late to take it off the tax rate. We are taking this step to show the people of South Bend that we are concerned with reducing the property tax rate for 1973. Mr. Nemeth said that Mr. Charles Lennon had pointed out that, by lowering taxes, we might be jeopardizing our chances to get additional revenue sharing funds. With this in mind, Mr. Nemeth then moved that the resolution be amended as follows: In Section I, Line 3, add after Motor Vehicle Highway Fund ;unless said elimination would reduce the amount of revenue sharing funds payable to the City of South Bend. ". Councilman Parent seconded the motion. Councilman Kopczynski said he felt the motion to amend was out of order at this time and asked for clarifi- cation of the reason for the amendment. Mr. Nemeth said, since they don't know for sure whether this lowering of the taxes would affect future revenue sharing funds, they feel the resolution should be amended. Mr. Charles Lennon said that the Department of the Treasury has not yet decided on the formula for determining the amount of money to be received. It is not clear whether they will use the 1967 data that they have or will review the facts and determine to use the 1970 data. Mrs. Ann Wlodarski asked if the public would have a chance to hear what was going to be done with the rest of the revenue sharing money. Councilman Taylor pointed out that a public hearing was held to allow the citizens to voice their opinions and that the Administra- tion and City Agencies and Departments would work together on this decision. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, said that this 114� reduction was one of the recommendations of the Association and that they support the resolution.