Council approves $311M budget, considers salary ordinance

Last edited 12:22 p.m., June 10, 2014

Springfield City Council unanimously approved the $311 million fiscal 2015 budget proposal at last night’s council meeting despite lingering questions surrounding city staff salary increases and available funds for additional police officers.

The budget includes $76.9 million for the city’s general fund, which is roughly flat from the current year, but is down overall from $316 million set for fiscal 2014, thanks largely to a decline in available grants. The city’s next fiscal year begins July 1.

After council approved the overall budget, Springfield Director of Human Resources Sheila Maerz introduced an ordinance that would increase pay for all city employees by 1 percent and allow for raises based on merit of up to 3 percent.

City Manager Greg Burris said at the meeting the budget bill sets the major components of next year’s budget, but the more specific salary ordinance would outline the way compensation is delivered to employees.

He said while up to 3 percent in pay increases had been carved out for employees, both the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Springfield Police Officers' Association have retained their rights to negotiate for more pay. Responding to questions from Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky, Burris said the budget could be amended with council’s approval later depending on the outcome of negotiations.

The city manager said $9.1 million in budget requests were rejected in order to make room for pay raises outlined in the salary proposal.

“Please understand that no one wishes the compensation increase could be larger than our leadership team,” Burris said at the meeting, calling employee retention one of his top priorities. He added work is needed to be done during the next couple years to more closely examine expenses in order to address pay concerns. “The city of Springfield won’t be able to pay competitive salaries in the future unless we make some radical changes to the way we do business.”

No members of the public spoke for or against the salary ordinance.

At the public hearing for the budget bill held during the May 27 meeting, about 50 members of the SPOA attended the proceedings to show support for hiring more police officers.

Councilman Jeff Seifried said a series of budget meetings would be held during the next couple of months to find funds that could be used to hire more police officers. At last night’s council meeting, Seifried reaffirmed council’s commitment to that process.

“We have set the priority in saying that we will continue to focus on the budget. I just want to remind everyone here that it is up to us, working with staff, to make that happen,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]