QuickTake:

The proposed budget, which cuts library positions and uses reserves to balance the general fund, next goes to the City Council for a public hearing and adoption. 

After three evenings of presentations and questions, the Springfield Budget Committee voted Wednesday, May 6, to approve the city manager’s fiscal year 2027 proposed budget without adjustments.

The $155.78 million budget proposal decreases library staffing by 2.4 positions. Due to the staffing cuts, the library will trim programming and close Mondays, according to the budget.

The proposed library reduction comes after a Fiscal Stability Task Force organized by Mayor Sean VanGordon recommended cutting the library’s budget, among other suggestions, to help address a growing deficit in the city’s general fund.

The city’s financial issues stem from limitations on property tax growth, increasing demand for services, inflation and unfunded mandates from the state, according to a message from City Manager Nancy Newton in the proposed budget.

“This was a last resort type of decision for me,” Newton said Tuesday about the library cuts. “I was really looking elsewhere to cut. … Our condition is really dire right now.”

To balance its 2027 budget, the city is using $450,000 from reserves, Finance Director Nathan Bell said. Officials have said the city is mindful to maintain its reserves to keep a favorable bond rating and have cash on hand for emergencies, such as the 2024 ice storm. 

The budget committee process started Monday with a presentation from Bell and an overview from department directors. Then the committee, comprising six city councilors and six community members appointed by the City Council, heard public comments, with eight community members speaking against the library cuts.

Tuesday and Wednesday, committee members asked questions of staff and department heads about various city revenues, services and expenses. Those public meetings can be viewed online.

Library Director Emily David said the library will send out a community survey about services and evaluate its programming in six months to determine if it’s meeting community needs with available staff. 

Newton suggested council members discuss the survey results in a future work session. 

“It may have a financial impact,” she said. “It might not. It could be, ‘Hey, this is something that we could do with volunteers or this is something we could do with a partnership.’” 

Voting yes on the proposed budget were City Council members Michelle Webber, Steve Moe, Kori Rodley, Jill Cuadros and Andrew Buck along with committee members Micah Weiss, Michael Roemen and Bob Brew. Committee members Ruth Linoz and Elliott Harwell dissented. Councilor Alan Stout and committee member Jason Miller were excused.

The budget next goes to the City Council, which will hold a public hearing June 15 before voting to adopt the budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.