The Health & Public Safety Committee voted to send Resolution 2,548 to the full South Bend Common Council with a favorable recommendation, a measure intended to prevent a lapse in a mayoral executive order that pauses utility shutoffs for households enrolled in the city's Utility Assistance Program.

President Lee, presenting the resolution, said it would allow the council's consent to continue a local disaster emergency under Indiana state statute so that the seven-day executive order does not lapse between full council meetings. "This proposed resolution provides the common council's continuing consent to continue or renew the local disaster emergency until the next subsequent full common council meeting," Lee said.

Council members asked for clarity on how often the council would need to revisit the emergency declaration. City Attorney Palmer explained that, by statute, an executive order may be extended only seven days unless the council gives consent, and because full council meetings are held about every 14 days the resolution prevents an automatic lapse.

The committee and staff emphasized that the moratorium applies only to people enrolled in the city's Utility Assistance Program (UAP). President Lee said, "the shutoffs are only applicable to people who receive SNAP benefits and a part of our utility assistance program," and council members urged clearer public messaging so tenants, landlords and community organizations understand the moratorium does not cancel utility bills.

Public commenters supported the resolution and urged more detail about who will be served and how much funding is available. Henry Davis Jr. asked the council to pursue state support and to pull in the school corporation to assess impacts on students. Jordan Geiger asked for an additional hearing that lays out program operations and evaluation criteria.

The motion to forward the resolution carried by roll call in committee; the item was scheduled for the full council meeting at 7 p.m. for final consideration.