SOUTH BEND — The University of Notre Dame announced Monday that it will make voluntary contributions totaling $5.5 million over the next decade to the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, St. Joseph County and the town of Roseland.

The voluntary contributions will be provided in increments of $500,000 in each of the first five years and $600,000 annually in the second five years. The first checks will be mailed in the next few weeks.

The idea has been under discussion for months, as the recession has taken a toll on local communities, the Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, said at a news conference Monday afternoon at the Notre Dame Downtown office.

The economic health of the community is important in attracting and retaining top employees and students, Jenkins said. "Notre Dame can only flourish if the community flourishes," he said.

The contributions are unrestricted, which means governmental leaders can use the money to cover whatever public services they choose.

With the cities and the county facing severe budget shortfalls because of Indiana’s property tax reform, the announcement came as welcome news to public officials.

The city of South Bend, facing a $20 million budget shortfall in 2910, is looking at the possibly of reducing police and fire staffing, and cutting some park department services.

"This will probably allow us to keep some additional police and firefighters on the job, and some parks personnel," South Bend Mayor Stephen Luecke said. City officials are just starting to discuss how the $275,000 Notre Dame gift for 2010 will be used.

Read the full story in Tuesday’s Tribune.