Key Decisions
- Council approved a five-year extension of the mapping for the east-west arterial corridor between US Highway 65 and River Bluff Boulevard to Kissick Avenue. The extension preserves right-of-way for future street improvements. Greene County is actively pursuing final design on the western portion of the corridor, with construction anticipated within two to three years.
- Council approved annexing approximately 26.8 acres at 2707 North Farm Road 123 and 1.1 acre of right-of-way into the city as annexation A3-2026.
- Council approved a sewer extension cost reimbursement agreement with Sunshine Developer LLC for the construction of a force main sewer to serve Turns Ranch Subdivision, establishing a per-square-foot connection fee to reimburse the developer.
- Council approved amendments to the city's animal control ordinances to provide improved enforcement measures for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department Animal Control Program, including stronger provisions to address non-compliant dog owners.
- Council approved a budget amendment of $118,800 to fund sustainment of police department body-worn cameras using unused salary funds.
- Council approved a budget amendment of $98,708 to continue the police recruitment plan using unused salary funds.
- Council set the preliminary tax levy for fiscal year 2026-2027.
- Council adopted the city budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Councilmember Horton proposed an amendment to eliminate the requested $185,900 principal engineer FTE in the city manager's office and instead fund an $84,264 associate city planner FTE in Planning and Development and add $101,636 for Bush Building renovations. The amendment failed. The budget as proposed by staff passed.
- Council approved a new intergovernmental agreement with Missouri State University to continue providing enhanced law enforcement services on and around the MSU campus.
Budget & Finance
- Council approved a contract with Centrifuge Systems LLC for $2,301,865 for three centrifuges at the Southwest wastewater treatment plant, with a total budget appropriation of $2,532,000 including contingency. The centrifuges, which are more than 30 years old, remove water from biosolids at the final stage of wastewater treatment. The city will directly purchase the equipment to expedite delivery and reduce costs; installation will be contracted separately.
- Council moved forward with collective bargaining agreements providing pay increases for three bargaining units: Springfield Police Officers Association (1.3% across-the-board increase, new top step at 2.5%, merit steps, and a one-year pilot flexible vacation cap program), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Crafts/Trades/Labor group (new top step at 3.5%, merit steps, adjusted starting pay for salary grade 5, updated boot allowance and on-call pay), and IBEW Professional/Administrative/Technical group (1% across-the-board increase, new top step at 2.5%, merit steps, boot allowance).
- Council moved forward with pay adjustments for non-bargaining unit employees, including merit steps for all non-union employees, a 3.5% new top step for PAT non-union and CTL non-union employees, 1.3% across-the-board increase for non-union law enforcement with a 2.5% adjustment to create a full top step, and a new 2.5% top step for non-union fire protection commanders.
- Council moved forward with an 8% salary increase for City Clerk Anita Cotter.
Watch This
- Council will vote June 22 on amendments to the Land Development Code sign regulations to restore previous baseline rules, including the centerline method for measuring sign setbacks. The changes address unintended shifts in outcomes from the new sign code adopted earlier.
- Council will vote June 22 on a new ordinance targeting illegal "bandit signs" placed in right-of-way or on public property. The ordinance establishes prima facie responsibility (the person or business named on the sign is presumed responsible) and expands enforcement beyond city right-of-way to include county, state, and federal property, utility poles, parks, trees, and sidewalks. Fines up to $1,000 per violation. Building Development Services will handle enforcement and citations.
- Council will vote June 22 on purchasing the Hotel of Terror property at 334 North Main Avenue from Sterling and Melissa Mathis, repealing the previously passed condemnation ordinance and election-related ordinances.
- Citizen Advisory Board applications for the three-quarter cent sales tax are due June 18 at 5 p.m. The Committee of the Whole will review applications June 29, with recommendations forwarded to full council. The board will have nine members with residency requirements, and the board will select its own chair. Non-resident sales tax stakeholder positions were not included.
Other Business
City Manager Cameron thanked city employees for responding to heavy rain and flooding that occurred the morning of the meeting, noting that stormwater challenges will be part of future community discussions. The fire department placed two new fire engines into service at stations 7 and 10, replacing apparatus that served for more than 20 years, funded through the 2017 voter-approved property tax levy and general fund revenues.
SGF Neighborhood News received third place in a national competition hosted by Neighborhoods USA. The publication is a collaboration with Springfield's registered neighborhoods.
A resident complained about recently installed rumble strips ("musical highway") on St. Louis Street west of Glenstone, citing noise pollution audible inside his home day and night, safety concerns from drivers recording themselves and swerving into bike lanes, and concern about property values. He questioned whether residents were notified, whether a noise impact study was conducted, the cost, and how the feature aligns with the Forward SGF quality of place concept.
A resident advocated for major investment in mass transit, drawing parallels to Route 66 as transformative infrastructure. He argued the city would need 200 to 300 vehicles to match the transit capacity the Springfield streetcar network provided before 1937, and that incremental changes will never achieve competitive transit. He stated that mass transit is essential for fiscally responsible growth and reducing suburban sprawl costs.
A resident expressed opposition to the city's $225,000 contract with Flock Safety, a surveillance technology company. He noted over 50 U.S. cities have ended relationships with Flock Safety due to lack of data protections and the company's misrepresentations to police and the public. He stated the contract was awarded without public comment or council vote, and called for the matter to be brought to public comment and council vote.
Recaps are based on the official meeting recording and may contain errors or omissions. Always refer to the full recording for authoritative information.