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Home My WebLink About09-15-2026 Personnel & Finance Budget Meeting Minutes (approved)OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK BI ANCA L. T IRA DO, CITY CLERK PERSONNEL & FINANCE Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Councilmembers Present: Others Present: Presenters: Agenda: SEPTEMBER 15, 2026, 5:30 P.M. Sheila Niezgodski, Karen L. White, Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Rachel Tomas Morgan, Caz Margenau None Canneth Lee, Dr. Heidi Beidinger, Sherry Bolden-Simpson, Sharon McBride* Bianca Tirado, Jasmine Jackson, Lari' onna Green, Veronica Pitt-Payne, Bob Palmer Darry 1 Scott, Liz Maradik, Carl Hetler, Tim Corcoran, Alex Bazan, Erik Glavich, Joe Molnar, Mary McAfee 2027 Department of Community Investment (DCI) Budget Overview Members marked with an asterisk (*) are in virtual attendance via Microsoft Teams. Please note the attached link for the meeting recording: https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&repo=sbend&mediaid=413633 Please note the attached link for the meeting presentations: https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=412347&dbid=0&repo=sbend Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski called to order the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 5 :30 P.M. 2027 Department of Community Investment (DCI) Budget Overview Darryl Scott, Executive Director of Community Investment, with offices on the fifth (5 th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601 , presented the 2027 DCI budget. He stated that DCI is proposing a five-point-one percent (5.1 %) reduction from the 2026 adopted budget. He described DCI as the City's investment engine and listed their six (6) service areas: Neighborhoods, Building, Planning and Zoning, Sustainability, Growth and Opportunity, and Engagement and Economic Jasmine Jackson Q-rrEF D EPUTY Orr 0.ERK / Q-rrEF OF STAFF INTEGRITY I SERVICE I ACCESSIBILITY Matthew Neal D EPUfY Orr 0.ERK / DIRECTOR OF Pou CY Veronica Pitt-Payne D IRECTOR OF SPEGAL PROJECTS EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov {~ CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFF1CE OF THE crry CLERK Methodist Church to provide additional overflow shelter beds; conducting the federally required point-in-time count in January; and improving services at weather amnesty sites to connect residents with permanent supportive housing, mental health services, and substance use support. He said they are continuing to work on data management system in partnership with the South Bend Police Department (S BPD) Crisis Intervention Team, South Bend Fire Department (SBFD) Community Paramedicine, and the Oaklawn Mobile Crisis Unit. Other priorities for 2027 include implementation of Senate Enrolled Act Two-Hundred-Eighty-Five (285), trauma-informed trainings, street medicine initiatives, and coordination across City departments and community partners. Darryl Scott presented key 2026 metrics and outcomes from the Building Department. He noted that through August, the department administered nearly three-thousand five-hundred (3,500) permits representing one-point-nine-one billion dollars ($1,910,000,000) in construction valuation. Within the City, over one-thousand six-hundred (1 ,600) permits were issued, including one-hundred-two (102) new single-family dwellings. One-hundred-fifty-six (156) City plans were reviewed, an increase of eighty-eight percent (88%) year to date, and eleven-thousand one- hundred-seven (11,107) buildings were inspected. He noted the Building Department is fully enterprise-funded through permit revenue and has no impact on the general fund. He highlighted key Planning and Zoning outcomes, including the adoption of the Downtown 2045 Plan and neighborhood-scale zoning work in Lincoln Park and Kennedy Park. He noted that the City is in its best two (2)-year stretch for single-family home production in twenty (20) years, with one- hundred-eighty-seven (187) permits in 2025 and one-hundred-one (101) so far in 2026. The pre- approved plan program has been used in ninety-two (92) units across seventy-five (75) buildings. Historic Preservation issued one-hundred-fourteen (114) certificates of appropriateness and completed seventy-six (76) reviews, approved two (2) new local landmarks, and used historic preservation funds for roof, masonry, and paint work at the Walker Field Shelter House. Tim Corcoran, Chief Planner, with offices on the fifth ( 5th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601 , elaborated on the Planning team's achievements. He cited the adoption of the Downtown plan, the LaSalle Park neighborhood plan, and the upcoming River Park neighborhood plan. He said the statistic he is most proud of is the two-hundred-eighty-eight (288) new single-family homes produced in two (2) years. He also highlighted the team's involvement in two (2) low- income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects, which will produce two-hundred-thirty (230) new affordable units. He noted the City ranks in the top ten percent ( 10%) nationally for permitting speed. Darryl Scott then presented Sustainability outcomes. He stated that the department's cost-sharing partnership with the Indiana Energy Saver Program drove an estimated one-point-two-six million dollars ($1,260,000) in residential energy investment across eighty-seven (87) homes, with an average of two-hundred-fifteen dollars ($215) in annual utility savings per household. The City's three-point-four (3.4)-acre tree nursery is now active, and City solar expanded across four (4) sites, generating an estimated one-hundred-eight-thousand dollars ($108,000) in annual savings. He noted that the City purchased its first (1 st) all-electric vehicle, was awarded a GOEVIN grant for five (5) additional EV charging stations in downtown garages, and became the first (1 st) EV EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION \ INCLUSION \ EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall \ 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.\ South Bend, Indiana 46601 \ p 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 \ www.southbendin.gov CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK charging Smart City in Indiana. The team also trained fifty-nine (59) new forestry workers, engaged eight-hundred-eighty (8 80) students, and coordinated two-hundred-ten (210) volunteers. He added that since August 2025, commercial composting has diverted over thirty-seven- thousand (37,000) pounds of food from the landfill. Alex Bazan, Director of Sustainability, with offices on the fourth ( 4th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601, described the Office ofSustainability's two (2) core functions: reducing pollution that causes climate change and impacts public health, and advancing resiliency to address the near-term impacts of climate change. He noted that the Energy Assistance and Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI) was relaunched in June in partnership with three (3) nonprofits and three (3) businesses. He highlighted the USDA-funded tree nursery project as a long-term investment that will significantly lower the City's cost per tree compared to commercial nursery prices. Darryl Scott then presented 2026 metrics from Growth and Opportunity, which supported projects resulting in two-hundred-thirty-seven-point-nine million dollars ($237,900,000) in private investment, four-hundred-fifty-nine ( 459) new jobs, and one-hundred (100) jobs retained. He noted that seventeen (17) business loans were issued, Vibrant Places awarded sixteen (16) grants, the Financial Empowerment Center served more than two hundred thirty (230) clients, and nine- hundred-seventy-six (976) business licenses were processed. The department also received seven- million dollars ($7,000,000) in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READ!) awards, two (2) LIHTC awards, and established three (3) payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements. Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, with offices on the fifth (5 th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601 , elaborated on the Opportunity Fund, which offers below-market interest rate loans, business coaching, and technical assistance. He noted that sixty-two (62) businesses have used the program year-to-date. He said that since the beginning of 2025, the Growth and Opportunity team has helped secure four-hundred-seventy-two million dollars ($472,000,000) in private investment for six-hundred-thirty-four (634) housing units, with forty- five percent (45%) of these targeted at or below eighty percent (80%) area median income (AMI). He also highlighted the Financial Empowerment Center, which has helped forty-five ( 45) clients achieve one hundred fifty-three (153) individual outcomes this year including debt reduction, opening bank accounts, credit score improvement, and legacy planning. Joe Molnar, Deputy Director of Community Investment, with offices on the fifth (5th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601 , spoke about Redevelopment Commission activities. He highlighted the River West Bond, which was recently approved by the Council to fund infrastructure improvements, new trails, a community center, and priority site investments on the west side. He also highlighted the ten-million-dollar ($10,000,000) HUD loan for the Western Avenue Transformation District. Other projects partially funded by the Redevelopment Commission include the new YMCA Daycare Center in the Leighton building and the MorMex grocery store expansion on Western Avenue. He highlighted that investment of tax increment financing (TIF) dollars into non-development, quality-of-life projects grew to over thirty-two- point-four million dollars ($32 ,400,000) in 2026. The projects included demolition, site EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend , Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 57 4.235.9173 I www.southbendin.gov CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK remediation, paving, streetscapes, sidewalks, and improvements at Kennedy Park, O'Brien Park, and Potawatomi Park. TIF dollars will continue to be deployed for similar projects in 2027. Darryl Scott then presented Engagement and Economic Empowerment (EEE) outcomes. He noted that the Linden Avenue Farmers Market has averaged two-hundred-fifty (250) attendees per market cycle, with each market preceded by approximately two-and-a-half (2.5) days of canvassing. The canvassing serves to promote the market and other DCI programs including roof repair and lead remediation. The department now has twenty-two (22) neighborhood associations, two (2) of which are new this year, and the Ignite Grant funded five (5) neighborhood improvement projects. Mary McAfee, Director of EEE, with offices on the fifth (5th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601 , described her team's "boots on the ground" approach to resident engagement. She highlighted programs in the EEE portfolio including the Linden Avenue Farmers Market, neighborhood associations, the Neighborhood Consortium, the Ignite Grant, and the Financial Empowerment program. Darryl Scott noted that all of these results were delivered in a year when resources were shrinking rather than growing. He presented the total proposed 2027 DCI budget as nineteen-point-four- five million dollars ($19,450,000), a five-point-one percent (5.1 % ) reduction from 2026. The Building Department is proposed at one-point-six million dollars ($1 ,600,000), down five-point- four percent (5.4%), and is entirely enterprise-funded through permit revenue. Community Investment, Planning, Growth and Opportunity, and the Executive Team are proposed at nine- point-one million dollars ($9,100,000), a two-point-one-five percent (2.15%) reduction. A fi ve- point-three percent (5.3%) reduction is proposed for the Neighborhoods Division, with salary increases offset by lower fringe benefits. The Office of Sustainability's budget reflects a fifty percent (50%) reduction from 2026, since grants and other external funding sources have run out. The EEE budget was increased by sixteen-point-six-five percent (16.65%) to support additional canvassing and outreach. The Historic Preservation budget decreased by forty-seven-point-nine- two percent (47.92%) due to the eliminated position. He noted that capital expenses are at their lowest in five (5) years, consisting of two (2) vehicles and cages for the SBARC van. Citizen Member Caz Margenau asked if the department is pursuing alternative funding sources to offset the fifty percent (50%) reduction in the Sustainability budget. Darryl Scott confirmed that the department is aggressive in pursuing grants but acknowledged that fewer federal dollars are currently available in this area. Committee Vice Chair White reflected on the impact of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding now that the program has ended. She expressed appreciation for the work of DCI. Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan asked where responsibility for grant applications falls. Darryl Scott replied that grants are pursued collaboratively across departments, often involving DCI, Innovation and Technology, or another department such as Venues Parks and Arts or Public EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd . I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov ® CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK Works. He noted that a member of the Growth and Opportunity team has become the department's de facto grant lead due to her track record of success. Committee Member Tomas Morgan asked for confirmation that there is no dedicated grant manager. Joe Molnar confirmed that is correct. He stated that Allison Doctor regularly leads the City's grant applications but is not exclusively dedicated to that function. Committee Member Gooden-Rodgers asked if demolition of vacant and abandoned buildings will continue in 2027. Darryl Scott confirmed that the department will continue those functions. Committee Member Gooden-Rodgers said she would send over information about specific buildings. She thanked DCI staff for their work. Councilmember Dr. Beidinger asked about the department's main challenges going into 2027. Darryl Scott stated that most of their current functions will stay intact, though some things may take longer and staff may be less immediately responsive. He said he does not foresee major disruptions, noting the department cut its budget by seven-point-four percent (7.4%) in 2026 and their work continued. Councilmember Dr. Beidinger asked who is responsible for marketing and social media. Darry 1 Scott said the department does not have a dedicated marketing or social media manager and currently relies on the EEE team for community outreach. He acknowledged the gap and committed to exploring ways to improve their social media presence in 2027. Councilmember Bolden-Simpson acknowledged and thanked DCI staff members. She encouraged the team to hold on through the current funding gap. Councilmember Sharon McBride commended the department for its responsiveness and expressed hope that grant opportunities can be found to support their work. Council President Lee asked how the Home Repair Program has been streamlined to improve resident access and if there is a map that shows which districts have received home repair dollars. Darry 1 Scott said the department can provide a map of home repair allocations by district. He confirmed that they are exploring different enrollment cycles and other options to improve program accessibility. Committee Chair Niezgodski asked if there are any remaining funds from the City's previous lead hazard reduction grant. Liz Maradik confirmed that the previous grant has been closed out. She stated that the twenty (20) units completed this year came out of the new seven-million dollar ($7,000,000) grant. Committee Chair Niezgodski asked how long the current grant will sustain the program. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 57 4.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov CITY OF SOlITH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK Liz Maradik replied that the current grant provides three-and-a-half (3.5) years of funding. She said the department is on track with metrics and has a good pipeline and marketing in place to ensure the funds are fully utilized. Committee Chair Niezgodski asked when the City will start receiving affordable housing dollars from the three (3) PILOT agreements that were approved this year. Joe Molnar said these funds will start coming in once the associated projects are complete and the buildings are occupied. He said an approximately two (2)-year lag can be expected. Councilmember McBride asked if all the ARP funding for homelessness and housing support has been utilized. Darry 1 Scott referred to the appendix he provided. Councilmember McBride asked about the status of New Day Intake Center. Darryl Scott confirmed that construction is expected to begin late this year or in early 2027. Councilmember McBride asked about the City's approach to the cycle of homelessness. Darryl Scott said this concern remains on the department's radar and they will continue to pursue grants. He said addressing the unhoused population requires a collaborative approach between private, philanthropic, and regional partners. Committee Chair Niezgodski opened the public hearing. Matt Barrett, 110 South Niles Ave, South Bend, IN 46617, acknowledged DCI's role in facilitating job creation and private investment. He expressed concerns about enforcement, specifically with RSVP, vacant properties, the regional land bank, and the collection of assessed fines. He expressed concern about the department's enforcement capacity for new short-term rental regulations. Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, South Bend, IN 46614, asked how much grant funding and what grants the department has secured this year. She suggested using the St. Joseph County Public Library and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help find grants. She asked how much TIF funding went toward parks, roads, and water infrastructure in 2026 and how much went to private developers. She commented on the City of Mishawaka's use of TIF and tax abatements. Committee Chair Niezgodski closed the public hearing. City Clerk Bianca Tirado confirmed that her office would submit the public questions to Darryl Scott in writing. Darryl Scott thanked both members of the public for their engagement and committed to responding to their questions as soon as possible. With no further business, Committee Chair Niezgodski adjourned the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 7: 1 7 P.M. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov ® CITY OF somr1 BEND I OFF1CE OF THE CITY CLERK Respectfully Submitted, Sheila Niezgodski, Committee Chair EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I215 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov