08-25-69 Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

22 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING AUGUST 25, 1969 (Letter from South Bend Civic Planning Association continued) We request that the Street Department budget be eliminated from the property tax and same be paid entirely from MVH funds, the same as the county, This is particularly true now that the $80,000.00 from parking meter funds has been eliminated from income. We recommend that the Fire Department Buildings and Fixed Equipment item of $160,000.00 and Land $6,000.00 be paid out of Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund. Also that, if possible, the aerial truck $54,000.00 be paid from this fund. We recommend that the Park Department Buildings and Fixed Equipment item of $51,500.00 and Land $50,000.00 also be taken from the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund which shows $709,181.00 for 1970 and is more than sufficient to cover these two departments. In summary: Fire Department Buildings and Fixed Equipment $160,000.00 Land 6,000.00 Truck 54,000.00 Street Department, paid from MVH Fund 64,390.00 Total General Fund Reduction $284,390.00 or 11.7 Park Department Buildings and Land 101,500.00 or 4.4(� Total rate reduction 16.1 We suggest that you look into setting up an orientation on Value Analysis Techniques of reducing costs which would be offered by personnel at Ivy Tech at no charge. This could be worked out with some of the departments as a pilot program. We seriously question that the city should go into an employees retirement program at a cost of $332,000.00 with so little information available. We will have questions and recommendations on other items at the meeting Monday. Respectfully, /s/ Virginia Guthrie Executive Secretary The following letter was submitted by the South Bend Blue Chip Chapter of the JayCees, and read by Mr. David Hall: August 22, 1969 Mr. Robert O. Laven President Common Council City of South Bend, Indiana Dear Mr. Laven: Re: 1970 Budget for City of South Bend, Indiana The entire membership of the South Bend Jaycees, Inc., has, during past months, given considerable time to a study of the proposed budget for the civil City of South Bend for 1970. We have met with interested taxpayer groups, including South Bend Civic Planning Association, Inc. and as you know, recently met informally with members of the South Bend Common Council. Generally speaking, we have concluded that the proposed increases set forth in the 1970 proposed budget are, in some instances, excessive and should be decreased before the budget is finally approved. Our position is not, however, that any increase in taxes is improper, as we feel that the expenses of operating a civil city are increasing and the growth of our community depends in part upon increased services by the city to taxpayer residents. We feel, however, that certain items may be allocated or reduced to effect a slightly lower tax rate without hampering the growth of our community and the services provided to taxpayers. The South Bend Jaycees suggest that you give consideration to the following changes in the proposed 1970 budget: 1. Office of the Controller. Account B -62 should be reduced by eliminating therefrom the proposed retirement plan. A study should be made in depth to determine the most feasible way of achieving a retirement plan for city employees before funds are raised for any particular plan. 2. City Clerk. Account C -52. It is suggested that instead of each city office renting a Xerox machine, several offices use one machine put in a central location. This will save a good deal of expense to the taxpayers. 3. Board of Public Works and Safety. Account H -252. It was our understanding that the repairs and maintenance of the Studebaker Antique Car Collection would be funded from private sources and not paid by taxpayers. This item should be investigated before any allocation is made. H -72. This particular account is not explained to our satisfaction. A complete explana- tion must be made as to the contents of this item before funds are allocated.