08-03-09 - 2010 Budget Hearings - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Jeff Gibney, Director, Community & Economic Development Department, though absent, submitted a letter for the Council outlining the cuts and re-organization that. hopefully will allow Community & Economic Development to operate effectively within budget guidelines. The attached letter #1, emphasizes the economies found as early as '08 in anticipation of the pending crisis. Councilmember Henry Davis interjected, asking how effective a job creation effort had been over the last couple of years. Beth Leonard of Community & Economic Development responded saying all efforts and corresponding measurable results were found in the Departments Annual Report. Don Inks stated that Project Future and the Chamber of Commerce were partners with Community and Economic Development in job creation and retention. This led Karen White and Tim Rouse to ask how much money we give to Project Future and whether these dollars were well spent. The administration promised to review and report at a later date. CODE ENFORCEMENT Catherine Toppel began by recounting actions already taken to approach the nearly half- million dollars her department was asked to cut. This dollar amount includes over $200,000 already cut from'08 operating expenses. Most notably, Code eliminated take homes cars, cut hours and cut pay to meet expected shortfalls Code's efforts as well as those of other departments reviewed in today's hearings are proved in attachment #2. Each Councilmember in turn, Rouse, Henry Davis, Oliver Davis and White had questions and concerns relating to the departments ability to continue quality services under these stressful financial conditions. LEGAL DEPARTMENT City Attorney Chuck Leone made the presentation for his department. He stated the department goal was to cut 2010 personnel costs by 24% compared to 2009. This would be accomplished, in part, by allocating costs to other funds when providing services and by eliminating paid legal interns. He noted in comparison to other larger cities in Indiana South Bend not only compares favorably; but even spends less in total legal fees than others. By keeping work "in house" considerable savings are realized annually he said. Councilmember Rouse rose to say this good effort needs to be told.