The City of Springfield has released its annual Year-In-Review video, highlighting key events and developments from 2017. The video is available on the City’s website.
Among the notable moments in 2017 was the election of Mayor Ken McClure. Council members Phyllis Ferguson, Craig Fishel, Craig Hosmer, and Jan Fisk were reelected, with Fisk also being appointed Mayor Pro Tem by her peers. Richard Ollis joined the council after being appointed to fill McClure’s vacated General D seat.
City leadership saw changes as new department heads were selected: Darla Morrison became Director of Human Resources; David Holtmann took over as Director of Finance; Larry Woods was named Director of the Office of Emergency Management; Clay Goddard assumed the role of Director of Health; and David Pennington was appointed Fire Chief.
Springfield voters renewed the Level Property Tax with a 75% approval rate. Neighborhood improvements totaling $500,000 were funded through a competitive grant process supported by a voter-approved quarter-cent capital improvements sales tax.
The Public Works and Environmental Services departments achieved national reaccreditation. The city also reported record attendance at special events such as the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, which drew 53,000 attendees. Kearney Street Cruising returned to Springfield along with plans for redevelopment in that corridor.
An agreement was reached with Greene County regarding municipal inmate housing. More than 60 projects were completed under the Zone Blitz initiative, and Prosper Springfield—a collective-impact model designed to address poverty—was launched to coordinate community efforts in this area.
The City received an unmodified opinion on its financial statement audit from independent firm RSM—the highest level possible—and continued to receive clean reports from the Citizens’ Tax Oversight Committee.
For more information about these developments or access to the Year-In-Review video, residents are encouraged to contact Cora Scott at 417-380-3352.
