South Bend officials tackling code enforcement issues in their new budget

SOUTH BEND, Ind – South Bend’s Department of Code Enforcement presented their 2020 budget at a Wednesday meeting. 

The budget is being looked at closely throughout the city after recent events of issues from housing violations and illegal dumping have occurred recently.  

“If the city sets an example and picks up after itself then the neighbors will pick up and also do that,” South Bend resident Eli Cantu said. 

South Bend Councilwoman Karen White spoke about the departments reach.  

“Code impacts more than just enforcement it really speaks to the quality of life that we have within our neighborhoods,” White said. 

The department has an overall proposed budget expenditure increase of 1% in their proposed budget. 

Among the increases includes the department seeking to add two inspectors. 

Both city officials and residents said the job continues even after Wednesday’s budget presentation. 

As we look at our neighborhoods and we look at our issues that residents continue to raise, illegal dumping, making sure the grass is cut, making sure that they live in clean affordable housing much more needs to be done,” White said.