City Budget Adoption Process Kicks Off

The City of Springfield Budget adoption process kicks off with both the City of Springfield Budget Committee and the Springfield Economic Development Agency Budget Committee meetings on May 5. Public meetings to discuss the budget for fiscal year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 will be held remotely via GoTo Webinar. The purpose of the meetings are 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: 

Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) Budget Committee:

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

City of Springfield Budget Committee:

• 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 (receive the budget message, receive comment from the public, public hearing regarding the use of state revenue sharing funds, deliberation, approval of the budget)

If additional meeting time is needed, it will be held at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 12. More information about these meetings is available at https://www.springfield-or.gov/events/2020-05/. A copy of the budget document is available at https://www.springfield-or.gov/city/finance/budget-committee-meetings-agendas/. Budget presentations are available at https://bit.ly/SpfldFY21BudgetPresentations.

MEETING ACCESS

From your computer, tablet or smartphone:

GoTo Webinar Meeting ID: 519-175-403
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2009199576357082123

To dial-in in listen only mode using your phone:
United States: +1 (562) 247-8422
Access Code: 834-055-382

Attend in-person:
The doors at the South Entrance to City Hall will be open at 5:15 p.m. prior to each meeting to allow people to attend the meeting in person. Physical distancing measures must be adhered to and attendees are required to wear face coverings. The meeting location is wheelchair-accessible. For the hearing-impaired, an interpreter can be provided with 48 hours’ notice prior to the meeting. A “Personal PA Receiver” for the hearing impaired is available, as well as an Induction Loop for the benefit of hearing aid users. To arrange for these services, call 541.726.3700.

HOW TO ACCESS THE PROPOSED BUDGET 
A copy of the budget document is available at https://www.springfield-or.gov/city/finance/budget-committee-meetings-agendas/ or obtained by mail via email request to Budget@springfield-or.gov or message to 541.736.1032.

METHODS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments are typically scheduled under the agenda item “Business from the Audience” and are limited to three (3) minutes each. Multiple options are available for the community to ask questions and comment on the budget:

1. Using GoToWebinar participation functionality
   • GoToWebinar software provides functionality for the organizer to allow attendees to speak during the meeting, provided the attendee is using 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.
2. Written email comment in advance of the meeting
   • Written comment may be received via email sent to Budget@springfield-or.govthrough 5 p.m. the day prior to the Budget Committee meeting. Written comments 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 address of the individual providing the comment.
3. Prescheduled phone call-in to meeting
   • Members of the public may arrange to phone in comments by emailingBudget@springfield-or.gov or calling the Finance Department at 541.736.1032. Arrangements must be made no later than 5 p.m. the day prior to the Budget Committee meeting. Staff will provide members of the public a window of time in which staff will call the individual and then use a speakerphone to connect them to the meeting.  
4. Attend and provide comment in person at City Hall
   • These are public meetings where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place and public comment will be heard. All interested persons may appear to discuss issues before the Committee.

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 Christine Lundberg, Lane County Commissioner Joe Berney, 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.

For more information, contact Neil Obringer at 541.736.1032 or nobringer@springfield-or.gov