City Council approves nominations for Citizens’ Advisory Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
City Council approved the following eight as the new Citizens’ Advisory Board charged with providing recommendations to City Council on projects funded by the ½-cent portion of the new ¾-cent sales tax approved by voters last November. The projects will be aligned with Forward SGF, the City’s comprehensive plan and will include capital improvements, community and neighborhood initiatives and park projects.

Members were selected from a pool of 82 applicants and are:

• Erin Danastasio, three-year term (proposed chair) 
• Rusty Worley, three-year term (proposed vice chair)
• Andy Peebles, three-year term
• Clif Smart, two-year term
• Becky Volz, two-year term
• Leslie Forrester, two-year term
• Lauren Shantz, one-year term
• Christina Angle, one-year term.

The resolution provides additional guidance by City Council, including charging the Citizens’ Advisory Board with following the “Completed as Promised” model for the communication, identification, input, and prioritization of projects and providing project recommendations and a report on the discharge of its duties no later than April 1 of each year. The resolution also spells out that City Council  establishes a preference for projects that ar administered by the City or through a partnership, rather than projects that act as a grant mechanism.

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For more information, contact Cora Scott at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].
 

Springfield voters approved a new 3/4-cent sales tax on Nov. 5, 2024 to fund essential public services, including police and firefighter pensions, competitive pay, and improvements to neighborhoods, streets and parks, as part of the Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan.

How the tax breaks down:

1/4: No Sunset
The 1/4-cent is estimated to produce approximately $15 million a year initially, which would cover the required remaining contributions to the Police-Fire Pension system and increase police and fire pay to a level competitive with peer cities. This portion of the tax would have no sunset as it covers police and fire personnel expenses which are an ongoing cost. 

1/2: 10-Year Sunset
The 1/2-cent is estimated to produce approximately $30 million a year initially, which would allow for investments in neighborhood and community initiatives consistent with the Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan. This portion has a 10-year sunset and strong accountability measures recommended by the Citizens’ Commission on Community Investment including defined project considerations and a Citizens’ Advisory Board to provide project recommendations.

Maintaining Accountability
The City will follow the Completed as Promised model for identifying and prioritizing proposed funded projects. This will include public engagement and community awareness about proposed projects every four to five years, in conjunction with the ongoing Citizens’ Advisory Board to provide project recommendations based on public feedback.

Project Consideration
Special Ordinance No. 28033 outlines that the Citizens’ Advisory Board will consider projects with the following criteria:

A.  Whether the project can be completed with no ongoing debt obligation.
B. Whether the project is eligible for matching funds. 
C. Whether the project directly generates new sales tax or other revenue for City services and infrastructure
D. Whether the project creates jobs or increases economic growth.
E. Whether the project is a catalyst that retains existing or attracts new City residents or businesses.
F. Whether the project improves livability for City residents or workers.
G. Whether the project is transformational and invests in the next generation.
H. Whether the project is a continuation of an existing or previous project.