City Budget Adoption Process Kicks Off

The City of Springfield Budget adoption process kicks off with the first meeting of the City of Springfield Budget Committee on April 25. Additionally, the Springfield Economic Development Agency Budget Committee will be held on May 9. Public meetings to discuss the budget for fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 will be held both in-person at the Springfield City Hall in the Library Meeting Room, 225 5th Street in Springfield, and remotely via Zoom Webinar. The purpose of the meetings is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. Virtual accommodations are available to allow for community participation.

Meeting dates and agenda topics:

City of Springfield Budget Committee:

  • 5:30 p.m., Tuesday April 25, 2023 (committee orientation, receive the budget message, receive comment from the public)
  • 5:30 p.m., Tuesday May 2, 2023 (questions and discussion regarding the budget, receive comment from the public)
  • 6:30 p.m., Tuesday May 9, 2023 (questions and discussion regarding the budget, receive comment from the public, deliberations, and approval of the budget)

Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) Budget Committee:

  • 5:30 p.m., Tuesday May 9, 2023 (receive the budget message, receive comment from the public, deliberation, approval of the budget)

If additional meeting time is needed, it will be held at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 16. More information about these meetings is available at https://springfield-or.gov/events/. A copy of the budget document and other budget materials are available at https://springfield-or.gov/city/finance/budget-committee-meetings-agendas/. Budget presentations are available at https://bit.ly/SpringfieldFY24Budget.

 

MEETING ACCESS

Registration Required:

From your computer, tablet, or smartphone:

Zoom Webinar Meeting ID: 842 8459 8942

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84284598942

To dial in using your phone in listen only mode:

  • Dial 1 (971) 247-1195
  • Toll Free 1 (877) 853-5247
  • Oregon Relay/TTY: 711 of 800-735-1232

 

HOW TO ACCESS THE PROPOSED BUDGET

A copy of the budget document may be inspected online at https://springfield-or.gov/city/finance/budget-committee-meetings-agendas/ or obtained by mail on or after April 19, 2023, via email request to Budget@springfield-or.gov or phone request via phone message to 541-736-1032, Oregon Relay/TTY: 711 or 800-735-1232.

To request a reasonable accommodation at this meeting, please contact Neil Obringer, 541-736-1032, Relay: 711, Budget@springfield-or.gov at least 3 business days before the event.

METHODS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

Comments are normally scheduled under the agenda item “Business from the Audience” and are limited to three (3) minutes each. Multiple options will be provided for the public to ask questions and comment on the budget. Below are the methods which will be provided.

  1. Using ZoomWebinar participation functionality

ZoomWebinar software provides functionality for the organizer to allow attendees to speak during the meeting, provided the attendee is utilizing a computer or tablet with a microphone. During Business from the Audience, the meeting organizer will look for attendees to ‘raise their hand’ and will then unmute the attendees’ microphone, allowing them to provide comment or ask a question.

  1. Written email comment in advance of the meeting

Written comment may be received via email sent to Budget@Springfield-or.gov through 3 p.m. the day of the Budget Committee meeting. Written comment will be read by staff during the business from the audience section of the Budget Committee meeting and will be given a three-minute time limit per submission. Responses must list the name and Ward of the individual providing the comment.

  1. Written comment provided by regular mail

Members of the public may send written comment by regular mail to: Finance Department, Attn: Neil Obringer, City of Springfield, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon 97477. Written comment will be read by staff during the business from the audience section of the Budget Committee meeting and will be given a three-minute time limit per submission. Responses must list the name and Ward of the individual providing the comment. In order for comment to be submitted items must be postmarked by May 3, 2023.

  1. Attend and provide comment in person at City Hall

 

Background

The Budget Committee reviews the City’s financial plans, including the annual budget. The 12-member committee is comprised of the six elected City Councilors and six members from the community. Appointed by the City Council, each of the committee’s six community members must live in the ward they represent. Meetings are typically held between April and June, but the committee may also meet on an “as needed” basis.

SEDA Budget Committee is comprised of the 12 members of the City of Springfield’s Budget Committee, Mayor Sean VanGordon, Lane County Commissioner David Loveall, and a representative from Glenwood and Downtown Springfield, Oregon. Appointed by the City Council, each representative must own a business or live within the Glenwood or the downtown area. Meetings are typically held between April and June. The committee may also meet on an “as needed” basis.