July 28, 2025
Today, the City announced the fifth year of Build the Budget, which engages residents and provides a platform to voice their priorities for the 2026 budget season.
“Participating in the annual budget planning process is an important way that residents can shape our city and its future,” said Mayor James Mueller. “The more ideas and input we get, the stronger our budget and City will be. I encourage all residents to participate and make their voice heard.”
Build the Budget is an engagement period where City staff collects ideas and feedback from residents via an online budget survey, 311 voicemails, and interactive budget games at community events. Last year, there were over 1,300 resident engagements and the goal is to exceed that number this year.
Residents can participate in the Build the Budget process now until September 26.
All information about Build the Budget, including upcoming meetings and a link to the budget survey, can be found at southbendin.gov/budget. To access the 5–10-minute budget survey directly, residents can visit southbendin.gov/budgetsurvey and voicemail responses can be left by calling 311.
The City’s first budget hearing is scheduled for August 13. The final budget vote is scheduled for October 13.