The City of Springfield is seeking input from the public on the Police and Firefighters Pension issue in three different ways.
They will be mailing out an election follow up survey to randomly selected voters. Those voters who receive a survey will be asked to mail it back to the City in an enclosed envelope or fill it out on the Internet. The deadline for returning the mailed surveys is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
A short survey regarding the February 3, ballot proposal is available the City's homepage to those interested in filling it out or, if you'd prefer, you can go to the Busch Building at 840 Boonville Avenue and pick up a copy. That survey will be posted, online, through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
Or, if you really want to get involved, you can apply to participate on the Police/Fire Pension Fund Citizens Task Force by submitting an online application, that form is also available at the City's homepage. The deadline to submit those applications is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9. Of course, there aren't any promises you'll be one of the citizens chosen to serve on that task force but you'll never know unless you try.
Better git busy.
(Source City of Springfield News Release)
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6 comments:
A short survey regarding the February 3, ballot proposal is available the City's homepage to those interested in filling it out or,
WHAT part of NO to $200,000,000 (which would not be a final end to the pension problem) did they not understand?
Anon,
Based on what I've heard in discussions among the City Council and City Manager, the "City" wants to know what caused the majority to vote no for the police/fire pension sales tax.
Here's what I think, based on those discussions,(as well as past history) if the Council and City Manager's office can determine what the causes of the no vote were in the February 3, election, they'll address the issues they feel will allay the concerns of those who voted no.
I can't speak for the City, it's up to them to make their case, but I think they believe if they educate the public better the public might support a 1 percent pension fund sales tax in a future election. They might be right, they might be wrong, but I think that is the mentality.
Now ANON 8:52 am,
The City has an obligation to NOT ignore the wishes of the voters, this is what the voters wanted so this is what the City is going to give them.
I mean this is what the City wants and this is what the City is going to do.
Jackehammer--
when you speak of "The City", whom are you referring to?
The paid staff or the City Council?
Am I the only one who finds it somewhat disconcerting that the 3rd largest city in Missouri is run by a volunteer mayor and volunteer city council?
Busdriver,
When I say "The City" I mean the City government. The City Council, our highly vaunted elected representatives, are a part of that City government, the citizens' last bastion of hope to have their voices heard.
You are not the only one who is disconcerted that the citizens' representatives receive no compensation for considering the will of the people who elected them.
It makes it more difficult to hold them accountable when they are able to remind the public, repeatedly, that they have sacrificed their voluntary service to serve you. As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for."
How many quality citizens are unable to "serve" the people because they cannot warrant the expense of time, energy and stress to represent you, and what will it cost them if they don't represent you well? Nuthin,' financially.
With even a stipend, at least some people who might make fine citizen representatives but cannot afford to sacrifice financially by taking off work to attend some of the meetings or read the extensive paperwork that accompanies bills which they are asked to approve or disapprove, might be able to reconsider serving the public.
I believe, personally, the public loses when we are served by an all volunteer Council because it limits who can afford to become a citizen representative.
May it be time to explore changing the city charter and going to a paid, elected mayor and paid, elected zone aldermen (women)?
The current charter dates from 1953.
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