South Bend Mayor James Mueller is speaking out about the Common Council’s amended salary ordinance that was passed during last Monday’s meeting.
The amendment reduced the salary caps of 12 existing employees and eliminated 12 new positions that will be needed to implement programs and deliver the resources included in the 2022 budget and it received no review by fellow council members, the public or administration.
The mayor said the council dismantled the City’s ability to implement several programs for affordable housing, workforce development, and small business to the tune of 13 million dollars in American Rescue Plan programming that was included in the budget.
The mayor wants Councilmembers who supported the budget to take another look and provide the resources necessary to move those programs forward.
Below is Mayor Mueller’s complete statement:
On Monday, October 25, the Common Council passed an amended salary ordinance that had received no review by fellow Councilmembers, the public or administration. This amendment reduced the salary caps of 12 existing employees and eliminated 12 new positions that will be needed to implement programs and deliver the historic resources included in the adopted 2022 budget to the community.
“The floor amendment that passed on Monday dismantled the City’s ability to implement several budgeted programs for affordable housing, workforce development, and small business,” said Mayor James Mueller. “After reviewing the full impacts, the City team has identified $13.3 million of American Rescue Plan programming that was included in the budget but will not be able to move forward without additional administrative resources. I hope Councilmembers who supported the budget will take another look and provide the resources necessary to deliver these important services for our residents.”
The changes made by Council to the salary ordinance will particularly impact new and expanded programs in affordable housing, workforce development, and small business support. The changes will also reduce the efficiency of some government services, limit our ability to pursue additional funding opportunities at the federal and state levels, and continue inequitable and uncompetitive pay for some of the impacted positions.
The following response to the Mayor’s statement was sent by Councilman Henry Davis Jr.:
4 comments
It’s a good thing that the American Rescue Plan (misnomer: should be the American Bankruptcy Plan, because that’s the point) cannot move forward, especially when the entire plan is just to fund another Democrat vote buying spree. I’d bet even the small business funds were “targeted” to certain demographics…
Build Back Broke. What will SB do when the “rescue” plan money is all spent. How will they support the higher spending next year or the following year? They will TAX THE PEOPLE for it. If you don’t want your property tax to go up better watch this very closely.
Mr. Mayor: It has been proven that borrowing your way out of debt. We in what was the middle class when money is tight we spend less but for some reason when the government money gets tight they just print more and say it’s all under control. By the way those of who don’t think you are paying your share feel free to send a little extra.
Stop spending our children’s future enslavement to more taxes , live in a budget like the citizens do .