Springfield, Missouri
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Portions of this article were taken from Wikipedia
Springfield is one of the five largest cities in Missouri. It is the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Webster. Springfield's nickname is the Queen City of the Ozarks and is known as the Birthplace of Route 66.
[edit] Website evaluation
Last rated on March 14, 2012.
[edit] The good
- Budget documents are posted.[1]
- Meeting agendas and minutes are posted.[2]
- Names and contact details are provided for elected officials.[2]
- Building permit[3] and zoning[4] details are available.
- Financial audits are posted.[5]
- Current bid opportunities are listed.[6]
- The City Clerk provides information on how to file a public records request.[7]
- Tax details are available.[1]
[edit] The bad
- Names and contact details are not provided for administrative officials.
- Awarded contracts are not listed.
- Taxpayer funded lobbying efforts are not posted.
[edit] Budget
The 2011-2012 General Operating Budget contains $70,313,000 in expenditures, an increase of 4.9% over the previous fiscal year. Expenditure changes from FY 2010-2011 to FY 2011-2012 were:[1]
| Category | Percent change |
|---|---|
| Employee Pay and Benefits | 2.4% |
| Funding to Fill Vacancies & Job Reclassifications | 1.1% |
| Department Operational Increases | 1.1% |
| Increase in Contingency | 0.6% |
| Department Fuel Expenses | 0.2% |
| Transfers to Other Funds | -0.4% |
| Total | 4.9% |
General fund revenue changes from FY 2010-2011 to FY 2011-2012 were:[1]
| Category | Percent change |
|---|---|
| Payments in Lieu of Taxes Revenue | 2.6% |
| Sales Tax Revenue | 2.1% |
| Other Revenue | 0.5% |
| Licenses & Fines Revenue | -0.2% |
| Total | 4.9% |
[edit] Public employees
[edit] Elected officials
The city government is based on a Council-Manager system. The City Council is made up of eight members, each elected to four year terms. The Mayor is elected to a two year term. Members are:[2]
| Name | Position | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Jim O'Neal | Mayor | |
| Jeff Seifried | Council Member | Zone 1 |
| Cindy Rushefsky | Council Member | Zone 2 |
| Jerry Compton | Council Member | Zone 3 |
| Scott Bailes | Council Member | Zone 4 |
| Bob Stephens | Council Member | General A |
| John Rush | Council Member | General B |
| Doug Burlison | Council Member | General C |
| Thomas Bieker | Council Member | General D |
[edit] Administrative officials
The City Manager is responsible for the administration of city affairs, including executing Council policy. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council. The current City Manager is Doug Burris.[8]
[edit] Salaries
Employee salary details are not provided.
[edit] Pensions
Full-time employees are enrolled in the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System. The city contribute 18% of wages towards employee retirement benefits. Benefits are fully vested after five years of service, and are calculated as "2% x final average salary (average of 36 highest consecutive months in the last 120 months) X years of service = monthly benefit." Regular retirement is age 60, but reduced benefits are available as early as age 55.[9]
[edit] Lobbying
The city does not provide information on membership in taxpayer funded lobbying associations.
[edit] Transparency & public records
Public records requests are fielded and handled by the City Clerk's office. Records request may be made by calling the Clerk's office, or via fax or mail.[7]
[edit] Taxes
In 2008, voters approved the renewal of a 1/8 cent sales tax with a four-year sunset to fund traffic improvements in a partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation.[10] The city collects $524 in sales tax revenue per capita with a combined city, county, and state rate of 7.60%.[11]
[edit] External links
- See sample transparency legislation at the Sunshine Standard
- Missouri on State Budget Solutions
- City Homepage
- Springfield Travel and Tourism
- Springfield News-Leader
- Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
