SOUTH BEND — How do you think South Bend should spend tax dollars?
South Bend residents have an opportunity to weigh in on the city’s budget planning process until Sept. 27 as the 2027 budget season begins. The city announced the sixth year of Build the Budget, which aims to engage residents with a platform to voice their priorities for the 2027 budget.
In 2026, over 2,200 residents participated in the Build the Budget planning process, according to the 2026 Resident Budget Feedback Report. Five priorities arose: affordable, available and accessible housing; repairing and resurfacing roadways; job creation; improved neighborhood infrastructure; and a climate action plan.
This year, residents can voice their opinions in person at the Aug. 7 Meet the Mayor event, by calling 311 or online at https://southbendin.gov/budget. There will also be city staff at various community events soliciting input.
Mayor James Muller, City Controller Kyle Willis and various department heads will present department budgets to the Common Council beginning Sept. 2.
Budget hearings are public and start at 5:30 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the South Bend City Hall Common Council Chambers, 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The final budget vote is Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m.
Here is a list of the 2027 budget hearings:
● Wednesday, Sept. 2: 2027 City-Wide Budget Overview Meeting
● Thursday, Sept. 3: Innovation and Technology
● Wednesday, Sept. 9: South Bend Police Department and South Bend Fire Department
● Tuesday, Sept. 15: Department of Community Investment
● Wednesday, Sept. 16: Department of Public Works
● Tuesday, Sept. 22: Venues Parks and Arts and Human Rights Commission
● Wednesday, Sept. 23: Administration and Finance, Legal and Innovation and Technology
● Wednesday, Sept. 30: Mayor’s Office, Diversity and Inclusion, Community PoliceReview Board, City Clerk and Common Council
● Tuesday, Oct. 6: Council working session, budget wrap-up and final questions
Email Tribune staff writer Juliane Balog at jbalog@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend’s Build the Budget season commences, seeks resident input
Reporting by Juliane Balog , South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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By Juliane Balog , South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
