City of Springfield seeks applicants for Citizens' Advisory Board

~ The City of Springfield is currently seeking applicants for the Spring Forward SGF Citizens' Advisory Board (CAB), a group responsible for reviewing and making recommendations for the use of the half-cent portion of a ¾-cent sales tax, known as Spring Forward SGF. This tax was passed in 2024 and is designated for transformative capital improvement projects, community and neighborhood initiatives, and park projects.

In order to comply with the City Charter, the board has been restructured. The proposed restructuring, which is expected to be approved at the City Council meeting on June 8th, will fix the membership at nine members as required by the City Charter. All members must be residents of Springfield who have lived within the city limits for at least two years, are registered voters, and meet all other requirements.

Currently, there are four open positions on the CAB. Along with these four positions, one position may also be re-appointed. The CAB began meeting in May 2025 and will resume after these appointments have been made.

When considering projects to recommend, the CAB uses specific criteria including whether or not the project can be completed without creating ongoing debt obligations, if it is eligible for matching funds, if it generates new sales tax or other revenue for city services and infrastructure, if it creates jobs or increases economic growth, if it retains existing or attracts new residents or businesses to the city, if it improves livability for residents or workers in Springfield, if it invests in future generations through transformational initiatives, and if it is a continuation of an existing or previous project.

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Additionally, preference is given to projects that are run by or partnered with the city over independent or grant-style programs. Requests for ongoing operating funds are discouraged in order to maintain focus on one-time capital investments that have a transformative impact. The advisory board follows a timeline established by City Council and council members may submit projects for review by the board.

Some of the projects that have been approved by City Council as part of the Spring Forward SGF initiative include a $30 million investment in the Springfield Art Museum Phase II, which will be allocated over two years, and a $30 million match for a proposed state allocation for a Convention & Event Center.

Other projects include the Neighborhood Works "Plus" Program, which will receive $500,000 for engineering and design support, as well as $5 million for Neighborhood Works "Plus" Projects in FY2027. The creation of neighborhood plans will also receive $500,000 in funding.

For parks and trail improvements, there is a budget of $500,000 for park master planning in FY2027. This includes plans for Fassnight Park, Grant Beach Park, Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, Sequiota Park, and Silver Springs Park. Additionally, there is a budget of $10.8 million for various park and trail projects including an inclusive playground at McDaniel Park, a pickleball complex at Meador Park, and trail construction from Kissick to Trail of Honor.

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Those interested in applying for the CAB can find the application on the city's website. The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10th. For any questions about the application process, individuals can contact City Clerk Anita J. Cotter at 417-864-1651.

All applications will be reviewed by City Council's Committee of the Whole and recommendations for appointment will then be forwarded to the full City Council for approval. The CAB plays an important role in determining how funds from Spring Forward SGF are used to benefit the city and its residents.

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