12-11-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2008 Ms. Carol Davis, 2209 Kendall, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she is not in favor of this bill. She advised that the residents of South Bend are being tax to death. Mr. Davis also scolded all the people in the audience tonight for not attending Council Meetings on a regular basis. She noted that this is just one issue, it happens to be one that touches many people the wrong way, but there are many items that come before the City Council and urged those in attendance tonight to become more active in local government. Mr. Tom Zmyslo, 51042 Prairie View Way, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to this bill. He stated that the city spends way too much money on projects like building new libraries, schools etc. Mr. Zmyslo stated that St. Joseph County is one of the biggest spenders of tax dollars next to Marion County and Lake County. He stated that the city needs to live on less and do with less. He noted that this County is not is a recession it is in a depression and urged the Council to vote against this bill. Mr. Rudy Yakum, III., 51610 Villager Way, South Bend, Indiana, advised the Council that he and his wife are expecting their first child in 2009. He stated that he realizes that with that new baby come extra expenses. He stated he knows that they are going to have to tighten their belts and start saving more and doing with less. He advised that the City of South Bend should do the same. Mr. Yakum noted that the City of South Bend was alerted a couple of years ago that the 2% Circuit Breaker was going into effect, and did nothing to prepare for this. He noted that implementing another LOIT tax is going to create havoc and the taxpayers of South Bend and St. Joseph County have been asked to pay enough. He urged the Council to vote against any new taxes. Mr. Thomas Hennel, 1130 Donmoyer, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is here tonight to speak against these bills. He urged the Council to cut costs and grow the tax base in the City. He stated that is the only way to make the City viable again. He noted that it might be a good time to start taxes non-profit organizations that use city services such a police and fire. He urged the Council to take a good hard look at the budget and make the necessary and tough cuts that need to be made. He urged the Council to vote no. Mr. Wayne Curry, 1050 Burns Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, stated that the City of South Bend needs to expand the tax base and cut spending. He advised that the City of South Bend has created too many Tax Increment Finance Districts and until the State Legislature revises how the money that is collected in those districts can be used, it is costing the taxpayers that are not in those districts to pick up the slack. He noted that there needs to be new sources of revenue coming into the City. He noted that the 2% circuit breaker was put into place to stop the spending of tax dollars by local government officials. Mr. Curry noted that the City of South Bend has one of the highest debt and debt service in the state and that is why South Bend is being hit so hard. He reiterated what one of the early speakers mentioned that the city spends way too much on consultant fees; however, spend the money and do an efficiency study. He noted that it would show that there are way too many employees and that jobs could be consolidated and work can be done more efficiently with fewer manpower. He urged the Council to vote against these bills. Mr. John Dorsch, 1202 E. Riding Mall, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is speaking against these bills, however, police and fire protection should not be the first department to be cut if these bills do not pass. He urged the Council to look at outsourcing many of the services that the city provides. This would provide a valuable service to companies that are struggling in these hard economic times. He reiterated that police and fire should not be cut and to look elsewhere in the budget to make cuts. Ms. Charlotte Bridges, 222 S. Dundee, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is speaking in opposition to these bills. She stated that she has been sitting in the audience listening to other people around here talking. She advised that everyone here tonight against these bills already feels like this thing is a done deal. They are talking like the Councilmember’s already have their minds made up and that no one is even paying attention to what important issues are being brought up by many concerned citizens here 13