South Bend Mayor James Mueller and the City administration presented the overview of the proposed 2021 Budget to the Common Council on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
They provided highlights of the administration’s priorities for next year’s budget and as well as a plan to cross the current fiscal landscape in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Mueller stated that the city has to chart a new course to navigate the economic downturn caused by the pandemic in addition to the impact of the 2020 fiscal curb.
He said good planning, strategic cuts and our healthy cash reserves will help the city weather what he called the fiscal storm.
The administration plans to reduce spending by $4 million as compared to the 2020 budget, including a net reduction of 15 full time employee positions, in order to set a sustainable path forward.
The presentation kicked off a series of 8 budget hearings to the Common Council each Wednesday at 5 p.m. before final adoption in October.
The administration has identified six main priorities for the City’s strategic spending in 2021, which are: Support economic recovery, build reliable infrastructure, expand access to opportunity, reform public safety systems, rebuild vibrant neighborhoods, and protect the vulnerable.
Each of those priorities includes specific strategic spending proposals that the administration will provide further detail on in the budget meetings.
To see the presentation from the first budget meeting with Common Council, click here.
