City of South Bend approves 2020 budget

SOUTH BEND, Ind.—The City of South Bend on Monday night approved the budget for 2020.

Every seat in the council chamber was filled as the community gathered to hear and voice their opinion about the 2020 budget.

“I’m encouraged to see the room filled with people who will hold those leaders accountable. Because leaders have the best of intentions but it’s our job to hold them accountable, to make sure they follow through,” said co-chair of the strategy team for Faith in Indiana, Nicole Maclaughlin, who has lived in South Bend for 16 years.

Under the new budget, a number of departments and projects geared toward public safety will get more money.

The budget, divided into baseline and strategic spending sections, focused heavily on neighborhoods. About 64.7% of the strategic budget was designated to go toward the up-keep and improvement of neighborhoods.

A new advisory role to the mayor, the community initiatives division, will house about $360,000 to be used for public safety and wellness.