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Home My WebLink About10-06-2026 Personnel & Finance Budget Meeting Minutes (approved)OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK PERSONNEL & FINANCE Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Councilmembers Present: Others Present: Presenters: Agenda: OCTOBER 6, 2026, 5:30 P.M. Sheila Niezgodski, Karen L. White, Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers, Rachel Tomas Morgan Caz Margenau Canneth Lee, Sharon McBride Bianca Tirado, Jasmine Jackson, Veronica Pitt-Payne, Bob Palmer Kyle Willis Council Working Session I Budget Wrapup and Final Questions Members marked with an asterisk(*) are in virtual attendance via Microsoft Teams. Please note the attached link for the meeting recording: https://docs.soutbbendin.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?dbid=O&repo=sbend&mediaid=414586 Please note the attached link for the meeting presentations: https:/ /docs.south bend in.gov /Web Link/Browse.aspx ?id=412347 &d bid=O& repo=sbend Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski called to order the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 5 :30 P.M. Council Working Session I Budget Wrap-up and Final Questions Committee Chair Niezgodski announced that this working session is the final budget meeting prior to the vote on October 12th. She said there will be no public comment during the meeting,and City Controller Kyle Willis is available to answer any questions. Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan asked if Council is still waiting to receive any ordinances or substitute bills. Kyle Willis, City Controller, with offices on the second (2nd) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601, responded. He confirmed that there will be substitutes filed for the nonbargaining salary Jasmine Jackson CHIEF DEPLTY CITY CLERJ-: / CHIEF OF SB.FF INTEGRITY I SERVICE I ACCESSIBILITY Matthew Neal DEPLTY CITY CLERJ-: / DIRECTOR OF POLICY Veronica Pitt-Payne DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall J 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. J South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.91731 www.southbendin.gov I~ CITY OF SOlITH BEND I OFFICE OF THE cnY CLERK ordinance and the overall City budget ordinance. He said the substitute bills will be filed on Friday, October 9th. Committee Member Tomas Morgan asked about the Police and Fire salary ordinances. Kyle Willis confirmed that those ordinances will be filed this week but noted that he does not personally submit them. He confirmed that no other changes or substitutes are expected. Committee Chair Niezgodski asked for a breakdown of the total City budget, including capital expenses. Kyle Willis said he does not have the numbers in front of him, but he can follow up with a detailed breakdown of all major expense categories. Committee Chair Niezgodski asked about the status of Fire contract negotiations. Kyle Willis replied that the first (1 st) meeting was held last week, and they made good progress. He said he believes there could be a tentative agreement following the second (2nd) meeting this upcoming Monday. Committee Chair Niezgodski asked if the Police agreement has been ratified. Kyle Willis confirmed that it has not. Council Attorney Bob Palmer said he anticipates submitting the Fire salary ordinance for first ( pt) reading on Monday, October 12th, and a substitute will be filed once an agreement is reached. He said he hopes to submit the actual Police salary ordinance for first (1 st) reading on Monday, October 12th. Council President Canneth Lee acknowledged the Committee's prior questions about the Venues Parks and Arts (VPA) budget. He asked if these concerns have been resolved. Kyle Willis confirmed that there will no longer be a reduction in salary for the General Manager position. He said that concern is now resolved, and the updated salary is reflected in the budget. Committee Chair Niezgodski noted that the proposed Public Works budget reduced funding for Council curb and sidewalk allocations from one-point-six million dollars ($1,600,000) to one- million dollars ($1,000,000). She emphasized the importance of this program to Councilmembers and asked if any funding has been restored. Kyle Willis confirmed that he worked with Public Works Director Eric Horvath to shift money within the Public Works budget and restore funding to the program. He said the 2027 budget for Council curb and sidewalk allocations is now approximately one-point-three million dollars ($1,300.000). Committee Chair Niezgodski expressed appreciation for the change. She said she believes it is fair, noting that the updated number still reflects a three-hundred-thousand dollar ($300,000) cut. Council President Lee thanked Committee Chair Niezgodski for leading the 2027 budget process as the Personnel and Finance Committee Chair. He noted that the proposed 2027 Common EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION ! INCLUSION I EMPOWERME NT 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 CrfY OF SOITTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK Council budget was adjusted following a line-by-line review, and the one-point-seven percent ( 1. 7%) overall reduction remains. Committee Chair Niezgodski invited any final questions. Seeing none, she encouraged Councilmembers to review all the presented materials and contact Kyle Willis with any questions prior to the vote on October 12th. With no further business, Committee Chair Niezgodski adjourned the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 5:39 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Sheila Niezgodski, Committee Chair EXC ELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERM ENT 300 City Hall J 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov