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Outcomes identified by our citizens for how the City should spend their tax dollars,” <br />Luecke said. “This process will ensure that all voices are heard, all options considered <br />and that nobody is unaware of the challenges we face and the likely reduction in <br />government services.” <br /> <br />PUBLIC INPUT: <br /> A scientific telephone survey of 400 randomly selected adults will <br />begin March 30, seeking opinions regarding 2010 budget priorities. The survey, with a <br />margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent, asks respondents to give high, medium or low priority <br /> <br />to goals from City Plan, South Bend’s comprehensive 20-year plan (adopted in 2006). <br /> <br />Focusing on 15 broad areas of service, the survey asks whether the City should: <br />? ? <br />Keep current service/funding levels Cut service/funding a little <br />? ? <br />Increase service/funding a little Cut service/funding a lot <br />? ? <br />Increase service/funding a lot Entirely eliminate the service <br /> <br />In addition to the scientific survey, all citizens will have the opportunity to provide <br />feedback between March 30 and April 13 by completing a survey on the City’s web site <br />www.SouthBendIN.gov or paper copies available at City offices and public libraries. The <br />results will provide background for two community Town Hall meetings later this spring <br />at Indiana University South Bend and Washington High School. <br /> <br />PUBLIC MEETINGS: <br /> The survey results and Town Hall meetings will provide <br />valuable input for the Common Council and the City administration as they evaluate <br />options for budget cuts, service elimination and additional revenue. In 2009, significant <br />cuts already identified will address an $8 million shortfall. The feedback will shape the <br />administration’s 2010 proposed budget in August and will feed into the Council’s annual <br />budget process with late summer hearings and final approval in October. <br /> <br />PUBLIC-PRIVATE TASK FORCE: <br /> Under the Mayor’s direction, the Department of <br />Public Works is the first City department to work with private partners, who are <br />undertaking a hands-on review of Public Works operations with an eye to effectiveness, <br /> <br />efficiency and cost-savings. In addition to City officials, the task force includes: <br />? <br />University of Notre Dame professors with significant business experience. <br />? <br />Officials from Memorial Hospital and Health System, providing facilitation in <br />innovative business practices. Recently called “the most innovative hospital in <br />America,” Memorial began a WOW! Wizard School in March 2003 in partnership <br />with the Tom Peters Group to provide training to staff and community leaders to <br />establish innovative practices. <br />? <br />Leaders from the Chamber of Commerce and the broader business community. <br />The task force seeks to create a learning culture within city government that reaches out <br />to private-sector partners and takes calculated risks for efficiencies, savings, sustainable <br />solutions and income-generating opportunities. <br /> <br />“Budget decisions must respond to the needs of the entire community, not simply the <br />loudest voices,” Luecke said. “We want to build a community consensus regarding the <br />level of City services we need and the tax support we are willing to provide. I encourage <br />all residents to participate in this process.” <br />- 30 - <br />