St. Joseph Co. lawmakers dealing with major budget cuts / Your Severe Weather Station, South Bend, Indiana News, Weather, Sports, Notre Dame News, StormTeam 16

The county’s budget for 2008 is about $66 million. But next year, lawmakers are working to balance a budget about 12 percent lighter, about $58 million.

The difference is partially because of the state’s cap on property taxes. That’s bringing in less revenue for the counties in Indiana.

And that has implications.

"I believe there's going to be significant departmental cuts, such so that it will affect services," County Commissioner Mark Dobson explains. "There are some operations that we have supported using grant funds or federal monies, or something else that we've been required to match. And perhaps that program has to go away…We thought it was a benefit to the community, but it's time for us to shed ourselves of that."

County lawmakers met Thursday to strategize how to approach next year’s budget, which is expected by August 12th.

"It's going to take a lot of working together with both Mishawaka and the city of South Bend to determine exactly what direction we must go in to resolve this," County Auditor Peter Mullen says. Most lawmakers agree.

Mullen says the past few years, the “fat” on the budget was cut. That means next year’s cuts won’t be “the extras.”

"Now we're into the meat. Now we're into the very, very difficult stuff," Mullen says.

Another option on the table is increasing county income taxes. St. Joseph County resident pay some of the lowest in the state, .8 percent.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Mishawaka on Jul 9, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Wayne, you said your grandfather put his life on the line, you must not of been close to him or you wouldnt say the things you did. You are right he choose this line of work, something which you did not because you are a chicken. I tell the truth and he is on duty 24/7 and places his life on the line for ungrateful citizens like you. Like I said come live in my shoes, go for a ride along, see what the real would is like. If you really knew what goes on, you would stay in your house behind locked doors, you have no idea what happens night after night on the streets. I just ask for a little respect and support for our officers, not for me but for them who have to put up with attitudes from people like you. If you feel that way dont call the police then, take care of it yourself, I bet that wont happen. By the way when is the last time you got cursed at, spit on, slapped, punched, hit, ran over, shot at or stabbed in the line of work??? When you answer yes then you can complain.

Posted by: steve Location: southbend on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:23 PM
All you unigov people need to understand that your taxes may not go down. Ask the folks in Indianapolis. Their taxes went worse than ours.

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 8, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Ernie makes a very good point. Justice Scalia said it best, when he said (paraphrasing) that the United States was "over-lawed"; that when a legal system requires that many lawyers, it is too complex.

Posted by: wayne on Jul 8, 2008 at 03:41 PM
To Converned Citizen: Who forced your husband to become an officer? The last time I checked, we don't draft officers. If we did, then I would see your point about "putting their life on the line" for us.My grandfather put his life on the line for us. Noone forced him to be a cop.Free will lady, the home of the free. He's doing his job, just like me and everyone else who gets up to go to work. Save the sob story for someone else

Posted by: Pat Location: Shenandoah on Jul 8, 2008 at 03:25 PM
First step:Unigov. That gets rid of all the township offices. Next:Cut the fat. No take home cars for anyone, and no overtime,along with privatizing some services. Then let's have real elections, instead of recycling the same dummocrats(who got us into this mess), and elect some fresh faces. I nominate Mike Eby, and other young ex-county officials, who can see the future, for county office. He did his job, and did it well. And lastly, make Butch Morgan and his band of idiots DISAPPEAR. Then the county can prosper again. UNIGOV folks!!!!! It works!

Posted by: Converned Citizen Location: Mishawaka on Jul 8, 2008 at 02:21 PM
When things start to get rough all the complainers come out of the closet. Never heard people complaining about take home cars before. Could it be jealous on your part. Officers are under paid, put their life on the line for you and on duty 24/7 and what do they get for it. I am sure glad my husband does not have the regular "Joe" attitude. I am proud he does what he does for so little. If it was not for him and others you would not be safe. He for a minute dont think twice about being in a dangerous situation or having his family play second fiddle to a society which dont care about him. I am proud of him and the work he does. If it means that much to you, take the car away he will still do his job protecting you and others who dont care about him. Just watch the crime rate go up and remember dont bother me at my house because you know where I live but there will be no car in the driveway so I guess he cant help you. Do a a ride along see what it is like then complain.

Posted by: Ernie Location: Granger on Jul 7, 2008 at 11:08 PM
I still don't understand why a 'Lawmaker' needs to be messing with a budget. Seems like an Accountant could do that. Frankly I don't see why we need 'Lawmakers' in the first place! I'd bet most of us don't even know 3/4 of the laws in Indiana anymore..yet we stay out of trouble because we follow the 10 laws we grew up with.

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 7, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Why don't they use all that money from the "Wheel Tax" that was supposed to go toward repairing the roads? Why don't they get creative with TIF money instead of handing it straight over to Boss Kernan? Why doesn't Luecke get out of the Real Estate acquisition business?

Posted by: Joe on Jul 5, 2008 at 08:37 PM
So the answer is im supposed to pay them more that is the most stupid idea i have heard. Everyone is feeling the pinch the economy sucks deal with it cutbacks are a pain but must be done. Lets start with these take home cars burning tax payers gas taking the wife and kids to the mall!

Posted by: James Location: SB on Jul 5, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Islander is a nut job patsy trying to defend the corruption with ignorant made up statistics and is only happy and content with the way things are because he's getting a piece of the pie, I would like to be a fly on the wall to hear how he really talks.

Posted by: Chain Gang Location: South Bend, IN on Jul 5, 2008 at 07:12 AM
What happened to prisoners cleaning up the parks and filling potholes? Why can't prisoners do trash removal? Not violent offenders, but instead of sticking everyone on probation that costs taxpayers money - make them work! Make juvenile offenders the ones cleaning up the parks that they are notorious for destroying. I'm tired of seeing state and county road employees sitting on the side of the road talking on cell phones and water cooler talking.... you're on my dime - GET TO WORK! How many times have you walked into the county courthouse and seen 4-5 women behind a window talking about how great their grandkids are - NOT doing their job. If you each did your assigned tasks - it wouldn't take 4-5 of you to do it! City, State and County employees are sooo lucky I'm not their boss! Bring back parking meters for downtown area. Wanna party at State Theatre and destroy the city on the weekends - $ 10.00 parking fees would be great!

Posted by: Timmy Location: South Bend on Jul 4, 2008 at 06:44 PM
just get rid of ALL government and let everyone fend for themselves.The early pioneers did it...no mayors, no police, no fire. They lived thru it. We could too.

Posted by: LosingMoney Location: South Bend on Jul 2, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Decrease the county services-EXCELLENT! Let's start by eliminating all of the director's church friends at the Juvenile Justice Center and eliminating half of the worthless social service staff in the detention facility. There's a start.

Posted by: Al on Jul 2, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Please read.. County take home cars were first given to officers for public saftey under Joe Nagy. We did not get a raise for 7 years. The county government told us they would have to take cars back to give us raises. We told them that was fine take the cars. This went on for years, the threat of county government was going to take the cars. Again, that was fine with the officer if we could just get a raise but it never happened. There reasoning there were no raises was because we had take home cars and that was our raise which they claimed was equal to a $5000 raise. So now we are stuck in the middle with losing our cars and no raise. This all started back in the mid 80's

Posted by: To Islander Location: South Bend on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Islander you have way too much time on your hands and a lot of guilt inside you. Maybe the taxpayers can pay you 50 cents per gallon to use your own car to go grocery shopping and some of that guilt will go away.

Posted by: Islander Location: South Bend on Jun 29, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Also John; the make up is 11 Engines, 4 Ladders, 1 rescue, 7 ambulances, EMS supervisor/chase (to assist w/county mutual aid when an ambo from another district responds in the county to begin ALS care) 1 safety officer that responds to fires/extrications to keep us safe, and 2 riding chiefs. 27 rigs total. Do I think the higer ups need take home vehicles? Absolutely not. However, do not criticize those that take pride in servicing this community. My rig makes an average of 10 calls a day. Each call lasting over an hour. Factor in time cleaning and taking care of the very truck that you are paying for to keep our equipment working, cleaning our station, keeping up on changes to EMS protocols, etc., my crew does not have much downtime to "soak dry" the community. I work hard, study, and take pride in my job. I'm not just collecting a check. Don't marginalize what we do.

Posted by: Islander Location: South Bend on Jun 29, 2008 at 02:02 PM
OK John. I'm not gonna get into a numbers argument with you. NFPA requires city fire stations to have a 3 mile radius for response to keep a higher insurance rating. I agree that some stations seem to be sitting on top of each other but there isn't a lot of land to be had. Therefore we abide by districts. Some stations are busier than others. Fact is SBFD has responded to over 7,500 calls so far this year. The department has made efforts to conserve fuel by "carpooling" when making manpower changes for training and classes. Fire personnel also need to eat. My partner and I make the effort to buy everything we need for our rotation on the first day to eliminate the needless driving and/or bring our own in. Why pick on soft targets like ladder trucks? Of course the MPGs are bad. 3 of 4 ladders are 22 years old. The other is 10. Ladder trucks are vital to house fires and carry important equip. to rescue trapped firefighters. Come by my station. It's no gem. Stay up 22hrs. straight with me.

Posted by: Islander Location: South Bend on Jun 28, 2008 at 11:34 PM
John, you are more than welcome to come to my station and ride on the ambo with me. South Bend has 4 ladder trucks. The ladder is not just for skyscrapers. The ladder trucks carry forcible entry tools, ground ladders to get on a roof of a house. Do they get poor mileage? Of course they do. Design a better truck then.3 of the 4 ladder trucks are 22 years old and the 4th is 10. Memorial footed most the bill for station 2 b/c they wanted the land where old #2 was. Old station 1 was cramped and not designed for the number or rigs there. If you think myself and my paramedic cert are soaking the community dry, then I can't wait to meet you someday. 11 Engines, 4 ladders, 1 rescue, 4 city ambos, 3 county funded ambos, 1 ems supervisor as a chase, 2 riding chiefs. There are plenty of other things to draw your ire. As for bleeding my community dry, I guess you are a model of productivity. Let's sit down and have coffee and talk. Just let me know.

Posted by: Me Location: Mishawaka on Jun 28, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I know, I Know....Maybe Sheriff Canarecci & his Cheifs can float the county a loan!!

Posted by: John Location: South Bend on Jun 28, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Ok islander, brutal comeback! Thanks for bringing up the total number of waste in this department... 11 stations yea one on main and one on LWW within a mile of each other! Both costing millions! And according to you another 9 to cover SB come on! 27 rigs also, good thing for all large ladder trucks for all our huge skyscraper fires! Use your head like you stated to me, why dont U! take your Prius and go get groceries instead of taking the trucks and needing to hold each others hands why you shop... Nobodys grasping for straws or depressed its when there is a problem normal folks try to fix them and find solutions, not just work my 10 days a month and soak the job and the community dry for my paycheck like it sounds like you do no one should be happy with mentallity and thinking like yours...

Posted by: Anonymous Location: mishawaka on Jun 28, 2008 at 09:25 AM
just late week mishawaka utilities hooked up a new home, it only took them one day. good job guys, but why were there four workers and four trucks there? than two of them jump into a tuck and run to 7/11 at 10 am for lunch? ever heard of a brown bag? stop waisting MY gas boys! that's right MY gas, we pay to much for it for you all to use it as your personal vehicle. So four workers in one truck, bring your owen lunch or walk to get it (7/11 was only three blocks away) And when you are just standing there talking at least put the shovel down, it's not a leaning post. Who is the one in charge of assigning these crews? What is up with the street sweeper? how much does that coast to run and why? I'll gladly clean up the trash in front of my place if it well help. That is the answer to the problem, what can you do for your city? If you raise the income tax you only hurt the few people that are lucky to be working. not a good idea. Build a new sports complex that will fix everything.

Posted by: Islander Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 11:45 PM
John Trojan Location: South Bend---North of 23 and Ironwood is covered by county fire. That is Clay Fire Territory and responding South Bend Fire Department Ambulances are county ambos (Medics 10, 11, and 12) that are supported by St. Joseph county. City of South Bend fire trucks and Medics 1,2,3,4 do no respond there unless mutual aid is required. Stop grasping for straws and do some research.

Posted by: Islander Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Hey John, if you want to complain about firefighters and ladder trucks and the such....then how about a pillar of community service like yourself get in your Toyota Prius and deliver lunches and dinners to all 11 stations, all 27 rigs in service and be a meals on wheels guy. Find something else to complain about. It's not the fire department's fault that you are unhappy and depressed in your own life.

Posted by: N Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Why do we need 3 county commissioners, to tell us we have problems? Wouldn't 1 be enough? Think about the money being saved with that idea.

Posted by: M. Wertenberger Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Just when you think you have tax relief by way of the property tax,now the city & county want to come in the back door and take it away. They are going to punish all the residents. They currently are looking at every tax to try recoup the loss revenues. This would include county income tax,wheel tax,and all the other taxes you pay. In the end they will enact a death tax. You (your estate)will pay the death tax, because our elected officals in ST. Joseph County won't know how to make up the loss of the taxes that you use to pay.

Posted by: Bruce Location: Mishawaka on Jun 27, 2008 at 04:35 PM
That's the ticket-- raise taxes so even more people will move away, so your revinue will decrease even more. Aren't our government officials smart? Lets just keep electing them to office!!!!

Posted by: barb Location: sb on Jun 27, 2008 at 04:01 PM
We deserve a property tax break (1% cap). Portage township has the highest tax in Indiana, why...no one seems to know the answer. It certainly isn't due to the looks of the city, what a joke and disgrace. Yet, they continue to drop money into unnecessary things, like the new libraries and the former Gates space, WSBT space...I could go on and on, as John says. We all get a paycheck and live within a budget, what makes the city any different than us?

Posted by: Lou Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Why not close the College Football Hall of Shame. This white elephant uses our hotel/motel taxes which could instead be used on the needs of this county. We were all promised by the same tax and spend Democrats in office now that it would be self sufficient and that the citizens of this area would not have to pay anything. What a crock! Close it NOW and sell the property to a worthwhile enterprise not supported by local tax dollars. As a lifelong Democrat I encourage everyone when voting locally to vote Republican.

Posted by: concerned citizen Location: mishawaka on Jun 27, 2008 at 03:35 PM
I am a County Employee and that "Bonus" we received the less at $125 was added to our paychecks and taxes taken out. I look at it better than nothing but not a pay raise in 7 years. I still stick with the job because I care. If I wasnt there along with other dedicated employees the public safety would suffer. You want to talk about fat, how many secretarys are needed and why so many people in do nothing positions due to the good ole boy system. Notice the grass on the Highways not cut and now in the winter the subdivisions will not be plowed just the County Hwys. Be prepared citizens services of all types will be cut and effected dont kid yourself. There are only 8 squads on the road now for the whole county, how could you get less and not effect services along with safety of the officers, nobody is thinking about them only themselves. God forbid something else cause somebody will be paying the price and hope it is not a loved one.

Posted by: M Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 03:07 PM
To Posted by: SBPD on Jun 27, 2008 at 01:14 PM. Okay SBPD if you do do work off duty then that is fine, but that work off duty shouldn't include an officer taking his family to the UP Mall in Mishawaka or to Walmart for shopping trip in a police car. This is always going to be a sore subject with gas prices as high as they are. People are tired of being taxed and the ones doing the taxing wanting more and SBDP I have nothing personal against the police department, but I just wonder why I see so many South Bend Polce officers that don't live in South Bend. Lets be fair the take home police car program was suppose to make people feel safe and deter crime in South Bend, but if an officer takes a South Bend Police car home to Mishawaka, isn't that defeating the purpose of the program? That is why so many people are upset about this.

Posted by: Tim Location: Mishawaka on Jun 27, 2008 at 03:02 PM
My point about other profession having take home trucks is they are used instead of money to bring in a qualified work force. Everyone was fine untill gas went up. Why is it County workers are treated like they should be poor, isn't everyone entidled to make a decent living? These are your neighbors and family and friends. The money spent by the county goes back into the county. Cut the budget of county highway in half guess what happens to area concrete and asphault companies. Think people, some of you are talking about cutting your own jobs and don't even know it.

Posted by: John Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Maybe we can build so more million dollar fire stations! And watch them drive around in the ladder trucks at $5 a gallon for diesel why they go buy groceries. Lets see I watched two guys in a county dump truck spreading asphalt on Country Club and Edison... Why two and what the asphalt was for I have no idea as the driver could do it himself off the back spreader and then run it over... I guess he needed moral support. And yes all these town cops running into each other are a bunch Chips wannabees that there are to many of and abusing their or our cars and fuel also! They go to there off duty jobs in these cars and waste more taxpayer money. Then lets see the city is donating a million dollars to WNIT for the new front of there building and the list can go on forever but I am almost out of characters....:)

Posted by: SBPD on Jun 27, 2008 at 02:14 PM
For those complaining about take home police cars, get a grip. Of all the other take home vehicles from government agencies, police cars are the only ones who do work off duty.

Posted by: Walkerton on Jun 27, 2008 at 01:47 PM
WE maybe pay the lowest county income tax in the state but we pay the HIGHEST personl propert tax in the state. REMEMBER we did not get the 1% cap. Increasing taxes in todays economy is a poor decision. Look at home repo's, cost of gas, insurance, and food vs. personal income. Sales tax went up 1%. Most families are strapped very tight and don't have extra funds for tax increases. They are cutting back on expenses now. Maybe the gov't should cut back.

Posted by: Bill Location: Osceola on Jun 27, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Boston Tea Party...American Revolution#2

Posted by: ron Location: south bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Give zimmerman another couple hundred thousand $$ as a parting gift. That should help "cut the fat." MS: how right you are, and how sad and pathetic the county is. Lueke get a clue! Nothing will change; that's good ol' south bend for ya.

Posted by: terry Location: mish on Jun 27, 2008 at 11:36 AM
get rid of all the welfare family's and limit how long they can be on, instead of seeling drugs and collecting welfare. There's your meat to get rid of.

Posted by: M Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Posted by: Tim Location: Mishawaka on Jun 27, 2008 at 08:24 AM Hey Tim I haven't recieved a raise in 4 years either. As far as the plumbers, and electricians and such then a private company is paying for that, not tax payers. I don't have problem with them taking the vehicals if they would just take them home and park them, but instead they do shopping and other errands. Everyone is having to tighten their belts so why shouldn't the county have to do the same. Here is some financial advice for the county, stop spending more money than what you are taking in.

Posted by: s Location: bremen on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:55 AM
If government workers get take home vehicles then make sure they are paying for all the gas that goes into the vehicle.

Posted by: Tim Location: South Bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Driving police cars around for personal use at $4.19 a gallon is "fat"!!! I even saw a South Bend police car in Anderson, IN when I was there-- WHY?

Posted by: TO TIM Location: sb on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM
You need to get your facts before you say they have not had raises. Look at their annual budget books (free and available on the internet) and you will note there have been quite a few people who have received raises in the county!!

Posted by: Brad Location: Niles on Jun 27, 2008 at 09:41 AM
TIM: Show me the factual paystubs. The real county workers that have not received a pay increase do not have take home vehicles. You are mixing lies with the truth. You are more than likely one of the abusers attempting to rationalize the take home car, it is people like you that harm our community. The companies you referred to are not operating in the hole, so they can. Furthermore their budgets do not directly impact our community. We can choose not purchase their product or services.

Posted by: tom Location: south bend on Jun 27, 2008 at 08:51 AM
They need to get rid of half of the police officers,we have so many now that they run into each other and citizens and then pretend they were in the right there would be a lot less crime because they would not be stealing drugs and guns from citizens and reselling them on the street if they did they might actually go to jail instead of having immunity

Posted by: MS Location: SB on Jun 27, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Partially because of cap on property taxes says it all. They have been so used to using money that wasn't theirs it isn't funny - the funds that they would receive - put into the bank to collect interest - and when the time came they would distribute the funds but keep the interest. Almost sounds illegal. Then the Madison bill - which has been long over due and is outrageous. Make a deal with them - pay a portion and move on. Cut the "fat" my butt! New auditor has no clue - nor do the commissioners - how much "fat" is still out there. Again - if the county was run as a real business there would have been cuts a long time ago and people would be expected to do the work they are paid to do. I'm not saying all are slackers but we all know there are quite a few still getting a paycheck from th county. Quit outsourcing to find out what needs to be done - I thought we had intelligent people in-house who could figure that out. Nah - they all just like to play musical chairs in diff offices.

Posted by: Get the public involved on Jun 27, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Times are tough for everyone, I maen who