Springfield Standard

Springfield City Council has unanimously approved the establishment of a Citizens’ Commission on Community Investment, as announced on Apr 8, 2024. The Commission, initiated by Mayor Ken McClure, aims to evaluate and prioritize the best uses for a local sales tax capacity following the scheduled 2025 expiration of the current ¾-cent Police-Fire Pension Sales Tax.

Former Mayor Pro Tem and Zone 1 City Councilwoman Phyllis Ferguson expressed her commitment by stating, “Phyllis and Tom are very well suited to lead this public discussion regarding Springfield’s future. This is an important matter. We do not take our citizens’ willingness to participate in civic matters such as this lightly. We appreciate those who offer their time and expertise to serve in this capacity,” as reported by Mayor Ken McClure.

The Commission, co-chaired by Phyllis Ferguson and former Councilman Dr. Tom Prater, will work diligently to fulfill its responsibilities by June 30, 2024. The group comprises a diverse range of community stakeholders who either live or work in Springfield. Their tasks include gathering intelligence on various aspects such as public safety data, pension obligations, and capital project priorities, as well as developing comprehensive recommendations for ongoing pension obligations, public safety initiatives, and transformative capital projects for the city.

The appointed members of the Citizens’ Commission on Community Investment are set to meet regularly, with their first meeting scheduled for April 16 at the Councilman Denny Whayne 4th Floor Conference Room in the Busch Municipal Building. The commission is expected to convene every other week until June 30 to fulfill its mandate of providing transparent and impactful recommendations to the City Council.

The Council has outlined consensus recommendations for the Commission, which include making informed decisions on tax proposals, determining tax amounts, assessing associated costs, proposing timelines for voter consideration, suggesting duration/sunset periods, and ensuring accountability and transparency measures to uphold promises made to the community.

Overall, the Citizens’ Commission on Community Investment is poised to play a crucial role in shaping Springfield’s future, with a concerted effort to engage the public, prioritize community needs, and provide thoughtful recommendations to the City Council.