Resident says 2024 financial report and monthly files missing ahead of budget hearings

A resident who identified their address as 4022 Kennedy Drive told the South Bend City Council during public comment that they filed an APRA request for the 2024 annual comprehensive financial report and that parts of the city's public financial records are missing.

"I filed an APRA for the 2024 annual comprehensive financial report. It I shouldn't have to do that. It was due in February, 6 months ago. The monthly reports for May, June, July are missing," the resident said.

The speaker said more than 100 financial reports were removed from the city's financial drive and said the missing information leaves the public without amounts to review before upcoming budget hearings. The commenter named three former controllers—John Murphy, Jennifer Hockenhol and Daniel Parker—and criticized the current controller, identified in the remarks as Kai Willis, for being neither "accurate and on time."

"Where are the public's documentation on finances for over $400,000,000?" the resident asked, and complained that the council unanimously approved a budget the speaker characterized as having a $24,000,000 deficit: "You guys unanimously approved a budget that was $24,000,000 deficit. So you approved 424,000,000, and there was only 400,000,000 coming in." The resident urged Councilwoman Nizgotsky, described as the financial chairperson in the remarks, to ensure the public has the reports before budget hearings begin.

These comments were delivered during the meeting’s public comment period. The transcript records no related motion or vote taken by the council during the meeting on the record.