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

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eQ COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING AUGUST 25, 1969 4. Morris Civic Auditorium. It is suggested that before any reductions are made in the main tenance and repair budget that it be carefully ascertained whether the existing funds are suffic- ient to keep the building in good enough condition so that it is a credit to our community. Whethe: or not this facility is a profit making enterprise should have no bearing on the maintenance of the building. We suggest that more emphasis should be based upon full use of this building in attempt to put it on a profit making basis. 5. City Cemetery. Account H -12. We suggest that a study be made into employees" con- tractual labor and services to maintain and operate the cemetery in light of the increasing cost of hiring employees to do the work ourselves. 6. Police Department. P -11. We commend the Police Department for the Police Cadet Program and also commend the Common Council for its attitude not.to reduce this budget item. P -265. We suggest that a study in depth be taken as to the most economical and effective use of data process equipment in this department before any funds are allocated for data processing. 7. Fire Department. Account Q -711 and Q -73. We suggest that these be eliminated from the budget with whatever expenses to be made under these items taken from the capital improvement fund instead of from the general fund. 8. Street Development. Account S -52. We suggest that this item be eliminated completely in that the sum of $28,000.00 for the rental of two street sweepers seems excessive. A study should be made as to the cost of purchasing such items or of repairing existing equipment or some other less expensive alternative. We further suggest that a detailed study be made as to the possibility of putting as much as the statutes allow of the street department expenses under the motor vehicle fund to relieve the property tax payers of this burden. Such a study should be completed before any funds are allocated to the street department in the 1970 budget. 10. Municipal Service Facilities. Account U -261. We suggest that a study in depth be made to determine whether it would be more economical and efficient for the city to operate its own janitor services in view of the high cost of contracting for such services at present. 11. Sanitation Department. XX -722. We suggest that two trucks be purchased instead of three, resulting in a budget cut of $11,500.00. 12. Park Department. We suggest substantial reduction in all of the following accounts: 12; 251; 261; 264; 323; 425; 442; 62; 711; 722; 726 and 73. With particular reference to account 62, we feel that a. study in depth should be made as to the best method of accomplishing this retirement fund. With reference to the properties accounts, we suggest that further acquisition of property be handled through a capital improvement fund and that the construction of buildings and purchase of equipment be done more gradually rather than burdening the taxpayer with so large an expense at this time. 13. Junk Vehicle Fund. We suggest that this fund be reduced to $7,000.00. Furthermore, we suggest that a study be made as to the expenditure of funds allocated to the hospital fund so that taxpayers learn exactly how this money is being spent at present. In addition, we feel that it is imperative that there be an informal hearing on the city budget next year. The informal hearing affords groups such as ours and other interested tax- payers an opportunity to become more familiar with the operation of the city government and to intelligently discuss with you the proposed budget. Our organization will be pleased to work with the Common Council to publicize the informal hearing so that more taxpayers participate in it. We appreciate your serious consideration of our suggestions and look forward to discussion of them with you at the formal hearing on August 25, 1969. Very truly yours, /s/ Bruce R. Bancroft President The letter was accepted and placed on file. Councilman Laven made a motion that a short adjourn- ment be taken. Councilman Allen seconded the motion. Time: 11:43 p.m. The Councilreconvened at 12:59 a.m. Councilman Reinke made a motion that the Budget for the City of South Bend be amended as- recommendek by the Ways and Means Committee of the Common Council as follows: OFFICE OF MAYOR SERVICES CONTRACTUAL From A -213 Traveling Expenses $2,000 A -261 Promotional Expense 4,000 Total 6,075 GRAND TOTAL OFFICE OF MAYOR 39,553 Committee Recommended To Amt. Reduction $1,500 $ 500 2,500 1500 4,075 37,553