03-24-14 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 24, 2014 Presentation (City Controller) - There are a number of additional appropriations that for the sake of time that are not for from public funds. We had a good discussion this afternoon at the committee meeting where we had partners and some fiscal officers there that explained additional, and different appropriation items that I won't repeat that tonight but I wanted to answer any question from the council. Councilman Dieter: with the $41,000 what does that have to deal with? Presenter (Office of City Controller) - The $41,919 that was actually from Memorial hospital... Co- Presenter (South Bend Fire Chief) - I want to draw up a nature free contract with Memorial hospital providing their driver for the prenatal truck transport group. Once we collected above and beyond $130,000 in a given year, anything that goes above $130,000 by contract goes back to Memorial hospital. This is actually the first year since we've been engaged in this program for the past 32 years we've actually never over the $130,000, but by contract we are obligated to give them back anything above and beyond that. So I believe we collected I believe $171,000 for those calls that we answered last year. Councilmember Dieter- What was the reason we were able to collect more then? Co- Presenter (South Bend Fire Chief) - I couldn't tell you that 100% but what I can tell you the billing the office, what we have done, we instituted several changes in our billing office and as Mr. Murphy mentioned we have had a very good year this year with collections we were able to collect universally, all of our prospects from Medicare, Medicaid, everything that had a bill as far as collections goes. Councilmember Dieter - Is that something that needs to be revisited or continue doing this well? Co- Presenter (Office of City Controller) - Absolutely, however I caution that in 32 years this is only year that we went over the $130,000. Councilmember Dieter- If you don't what happens? Co- Presenter (South Bend Fire Chief) - Then Memorial makes up the difference. So in the past we've collected $124,000 and they reimburse us for $6,000 to make up the difference. Councilmember Dieter- Who does the work for the collections, the city? Co- Presenter (South Bend Fire Chief) - Our billing office does all of that, calling the public, we also engage in different services Councilmember Dieter- I understand that but if you guys are doing the fine work that you do and the billing does the great work? I don't understand what Memorial is going to get there piece of pie? Co- Presenter (South Bend Fire Chief) - Well, it's been a long standing contract. Councilmember Dieter- Well it needs to be reviewed. Co- Presenter (South Bend Fire Chief) - I understand Councilmember Dieter- Well, I'll go on to the next question Mr. Controller. Are the gifts and donations are those anonymous or those..? Presentation (City Controller) -Well technically those are not anonymous we keep a list of those in the office. Councilmember Dieter- Can we get a list of those as I would like to thank them, because I don't know who donates to the city? So I would be more than happy to write a letter of thanks to the private individuals or businesses and so on and so forth.