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We have a Brand New Resource for you!We have compiled all the meetings, links and resources we could find into one handy document for you. It has the meeting dates, locations, links for agendas, online meetings and how to get additional information about all areas of St. Joseph County Indiana in 2025.
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NEW! Keeping Your Family Safe Checklist
Getting Your Questions Answered
FINDING INFORMATION
Government Information and Finances are funded by YOUR TAX DOLLARS so they are PUBLIC. You have the right to see it.
There are two ways to compel the City of South Bend or any government entity in Indiana to answer exact questions you may have. If you ask for the information be given to you electronically, there is often no charge. If you want it printed, there is a copier fee.
First, look on their website to see if it is posted.
Second, look on the Indiana State Gateway. https://gateway.ifionline.org/
Third, you can file an APRA to have the data sent to you.
Want more information from the City of South Bend? You can fill out an APRA request form online here: https://southbendin.jotform.com/team/legal/APRA (Access to Public Records Act)
Want more information from the St Joseph County? You can fill out an APRA request form online here: https://stjosephcountyin.justfoia.com/Forms/Launch/d705cbd6-1396-49b7-939e-8d86c5a87deb
Want more information from the City of Mishawaka? You can fill out an APRA request form online here: https://mishawaka.in.gov/download/public-records-request-apra/?wpdmdl=1285&refresh=67cde95f32d621741547871
Fourth: If all of that fails you can request assistance from the Indiana Public Access Counselor at https://www.in.gov/pac/
This compels them to give you information at the STATE level and is known as an "APRA" ~ Access to Public Records Act. It is Indiana's "Open Door Law" giving the Citizens rights to see government information. There is a complete handbook about it at https://in.gov/pac/ If you want direct customer service, you may call 800-228-6013 where they can send you a printed book and/or answer your questions.
There is a State of Indiana Gateway for financial information at: https://gateway.ifionline.org/default.aspx
For additional financial questions, you may contact the State Board of Accounts at 317-452-9070 as part of the "DLGF" ~ Department of Local Government Finance. Note: When using the Gateway, look at how fresh the data is since we have found some reports have not been updated in a timely manner.
These are the instructions for getting information at the FEDERAL level. If you do not get the information at the State level, you may want to try using a "FOIA" ~ Freedom of Information Act www.foia.gov/how-to.html
If you would like to examine the South Bend City Ordinances
https://library.municode.com/in/south_bend/codes/code_of_ordinances
http://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&startid=88&row=1&cr=1
Legislation - Ordinances - Laserfiche WebLink (southbendin.gov)
South Bend Common Council Initiatives
Government Information and Finances are funded by YOUR TAX DOLLARS so they are PUBLIC. You have the right to see it.
There are two ways to compel the City of South Bend or any government entity in Indiana to answer exact questions you may have. If you ask for the information be given to you electronically, there is often no charge. If you want it printed, there is a copier fee.
First, look on their website to see if it is posted.
Second, look on the Indiana State Gateway. https://gateway.ifionline.org/
Third, you can file an APRA to have the data sent to you.
Want more information from the City of South Bend? You can fill out an APRA request form online here: https://southbendin.jotform.com/team/legal/APRA (Access to Public Records Act)
Want more information from the St Joseph County? You can fill out an APRA request form online here: https://stjosephcountyin.justfoia.com/Forms/Launch/d705cbd6-1396-49b7-939e-8d86c5a87deb
Want more information from the City of Mishawaka? You can fill out an APRA request form online here: https://mishawaka.in.gov/download/public-records-request-apra/?wpdmdl=1285&refresh=67cde95f32d621741547871
Fourth: If all of that fails you can request assistance from the Indiana Public Access Counselor at https://www.in.gov/pac/
This compels them to give you information at the STATE level and is known as an "APRA" ~ Access to Public Records Act. It is Indiana's "Open Door Law" giving the Citizens rights to see government information. There is a complete handbook about it at https://in.gov/pac/ If you want direct customer service, you may call 800-228-6013 where they can send you a printed book and/or answer your questions.
There is a State of Indiana Gateway for financial information at: https://gateway.ifionline.org/default.aspx
For additional financial questions, you may contact the State Board of Accounts at 317-452-9070 as part of the "DLGF" ~ Department of Local Government Finance. Note: When using the Gateway, look at how fresh the data is since we have found some reports have not been updated in a timely manner.
These are the instructions for getting information at the FEDERAL level. If you do not get the information at the State level, you may want to try using a "FOIA" ~ Freedom of Information Act www.foia.gov/how-to.html
If you would like to examine the South Bend City Ordinances
https://library.municode.com/in/south_bend/codes/code_of_ordinances
http://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&startid=88&row=1&cr=1
Legislation - Ordinances - Laserfiche WebLink (southbendin.gov)
South Bend Common Council Initiatives
Budget Tutorial for Citizens
Learn how to better understand the South Bend City Budget and where YOUR tax dollars are being spent. As the City Budget presentations happen we will be posting notes to inform and empower you about the process and this will give you an opportunity to let the City know your opinion.
Overview of Indiana Budget Rules can be found here:
https://aimindiana.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/FY-2024-Budget-Bulletin.pdf
South Bend Common Council
2nd & 4th Monday
3:00 pm, County-City Building, Conference Rm, 4th floor (Start time varies)
7:00 pm, County-City Building, Council Chambers, 4th floor
(Broadcast Live on Michiana Access TV Channel 99)
District 1: Canneth Lee ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5980
District 2: Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5983
District 3: Sharon McBride, Council President ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5981
District 4: Troy Warner ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5978
District 5: Sherry Bolden-Simpson ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5984
District 6: Sheila Niezgodski ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5986
At-Large: Oliver Davis Jr. ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5979
At-Large: Rachel Tomas-Morgan ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5982
At-Large: Karen L. White ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5985
Common Council ~ [email protected] ~ 574.235.9321
NOTE: You have 4 Council members that represent YOU. Your District person and the 3 At-Large members.
Call or email them with your questions and concerns. They are there to assist and represent YOU.
Neighborhood Resources Connection - 574.287.0425
Traffic and Parking 574.235.9201
https://www.southbendin.gov/governm…/content/public-meetings
Click here for more Committee Information
County Agendas and Minutes http://www.stjosephcountyindiana.com/agendacenter
Note: Call for schedule changes
2nd & 4th Monday
3:00 pm, County-City Building, Conference Rm, 4th floor (Start time varies)
7:00 pm, County-City Building, Council Chambers, 4th floor
(Broadcast Live on Michiana Access TV Channel 99)
District 1: Canneth Lee ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5980
District 2: Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5983
District 3: Sharon McBride, Council President ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5981
District 4: Troy Warner ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5978
District 5: Sherry Bolden-Simpson ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5984
District 6: Sheila Niezgodski ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5986
At-Large: Oliver Davis Jr. ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5979
At-Large: Rachel Tomas-Morgan ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5982
At-Large: Karen L. White ~ [email protected] ~ 574-235-5985
Common Council ~ [email protected] ~ 574.235.9321
NOTE: You have 4 Council members that represent YOU. Your District person and the 3 At-Large members.
Call or email them with your questions and concerns. They are there to assist and represent YOU.
Neighborhood Resources Connection - 574.287.0425
Traffic and Parking 574.235.9201
https://www.southbendin.gov/governm…/content/public-meetings
Click here for more Committee Information
County Agendas and Minutes http://www.stjosephcountyindiana.com/agendacenter
Note: Call for schedule changes
Brownfield Pollution Information https://www.in.gov/ifa/brownfields/
Resources
Libraries
Education
Entrepreneur Resources
Financial Education
Performing Arts
Sustainability
Technology
Assistance Available in St. Joseph County
Local Food Pantries
Education
Entrepreneur Resources
Financial Education
Performing Arts
Sustainability
Technology
Assistance Available in St. Joseph County
Local Food Pantries
NOTE: Some of the areas below are still being filled in by volunteers. Thank you for your patience.
Tax Money Spent
To provide data that can be easily understood in the following areas:
Municipal Budgets
TIF Expenditures
Abatements
State and Federal Funding
Bonds
Audits
Costs of Problem Areas
Municipal Budgets
TIF Expenditures
Abatements
State and Federal Funding
Bonds
Audits
Costs of Problem Areas
Quality Of Life
To provide data that can be easily understood in the following areas:
Education Ratings
Crime Ratings
Crime Areas
Environment - Air, Water, Pollution
Housing Statistics
Health
ADA Accessibiltiy
Infrastucture
To provide data that can be easily understood in the following areas:
Water
Sewers
Roadways
Waste
Parks
Municipal Buildings
Technology
Maps and Information
Water
Sewers
Roadways
Waste
Parks
Municipal Buildings
Technology
Maps and Information
Disclaimer: To the best of our abilities we have sourced accurate information directly from the originators. We are not responsible for any changes to the original source or accidental errors. This is a community service provided by volunteers. We are Citizens informing other Citizens.