12-11-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2008 in attendance. She noted that tax bills haven’t even gone out, and she doesn’t even know for sure is she is going to see a reduction in her property tax. She urged the Council to postpone these bills tonight and wait and see if the justification out weighs the means. Mr. Ben Silver, 1835 Ridewood Circle, South Bend, Indiana, urged the Council to scrub the budget again. He advised that they need to look at other areas to cut, not police and fire. He stated that the underlying problem is the tax base in the City of South Bend is eroding. He urged the Council and the City Administration to try to bring in new businesses. Stop using tax abatement as the only tool to encourage new businesses to come into town. He stated that tax abatement is a good tool, but sometimes it out weighs the good. Mr. Silver used A.J. Wright as an example. When they were looking to build in South Bend, they promised 600 hundred new jobs to the City, with the possibility of expanding to 800. On a good day the highest count was 379! The City then fined the company because they did not employ the number of jobs they promised on their statement of benefits form when they filed for their tax abatement. He stated that there needs to be more enforcement and monitoring of these incentives if they are going to be handed out. Mr. Silver stated that the City needs to cut back on their spending and look toward the future of doing more with less. He urged the Council to vote against any new tax. Mr. Pat Myers, 1118 Lincoln Way East, South Bend, Indiana, advised that the biggest factor in these two bills is the trust that is being placed on the Council. He urged the Council to do the right thing and vote against these bills. Mr. Jeff Kepschull, 21050 Quiet Ridge Ct., South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is speaking in opposition of these bills. He advised that the Council works for the voters who elected them into office. He stated that a tax of this magnitude needs to be placed on a referendum and let the voters decide, just like the way that the Councilmember’s are put into office. He asked the Council to remember who elected them and vote responsibly and vote no. Mr. Pat Mangan, P. O. Box 552, Notre Dame, Indiana, advised that he is speaking in opposition to these bills. He advised that home ownership is one of the greatest experiences and eliminating the assessment system and property tax in Indiana will be one of the greatest accomplishments in the State’s history. He stated that the Mayor and Controller are using the police and fire departments in a manipulative way by stating that they will be the first departments to have their budgets cut. He urged the Council to look for other ways to cut spending. He noted that the City Administration needs to first take a look at their budgets, tighten their belts and do more with less. He urged the Council to vote against these bills. Mr. Jim English, 113 N. Ellsworth, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is speaking in opposition of these bills tonight because he believes that the problem is with the large number of non-profit organization that overwhelm the City of South Bend. He stated that the City needs to cut some of the programs that it spends tax dollars on. Mr. English advised that the City does not need to be in the golf business and should cut Blackthorn loose. He urged the Council to take a good hard look at the 2009 and 2010 budgets and cut spending for College Football Hall of Fame, Project Future, and other areas that are not self supporting. Mr. Greg Burkowski, 20155 Roosevelt Road, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is speaking in opposition to these bills. Mr. Burkowski advised that the city’s budget woes are self inflicted. He stated that the city’s tax base has eroded. He stated that the City is in dire financial straits due to poor management. He noted that the Hall of Fame has yet to turn a profit and keeps draining the City. He urged the Council to vote against any new tax. Ms. Kathie Bieshke, 24440 Adams Road, South Bend, Indiana, commending Council Member Karen White for stating her opinion that the Council and the Administration need to take a closer look at the budget and make the hard decisions that need to be made and cut services and consolidate jobs. She urged the Council to consider and weigh the 14