09-28-2026 Common Council Meeting Recording (Part 2)

At the September 28, 2026 South Bend Common Council meeting, the council reviewed the proposed 2027 budget for the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation (Transpo). Transpo reported projected annual operating expenses of about $12.3 million, including approximately $7.1 million in labor costs—an increase of roughly $300,000. The agency said it receives funding from local, state, and federal sources, and warned that a projected $416,000 annual property-tax revenue loss associated with SB1 could affect service. Transpo also reported spending more than $1 million annually with local businesses. The committee voted to recommend substitute Bill 68-26 to the full council; the agenda item was identified as a public hearing, and no final budget adoption is shown in the transcript.

The council adopted Bill 66-26, amending 2026 salary provisions for certain Office of Diversity and Inclusion positions and adding omitted Innovation and Technology positions. Discussion noted that the interim director’s salary increase would remain at that level in 2027, and that the city is considering creating its own minority- and women-owned business certification process after the state ended its certification program. The council also considered additional 2026 appropriations under Bill 60-26, but the transcript does not clearly capture its final vote. No contract award or vendor selection was identified.