Watch Out for Springfield's Money

The City of Springfield is seeking applications from citizens interested in serving on the new Citizens' Sales Tax Oversight Committee approved by the City Council on Monday night.

The application form is available online

Citizens without computer or Internet access can request a mailed application by calling 864-1010, or pick up an application at the Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville Ave., during normal business hours.

The application deadline is: 5 p.m., Feb. 9, 2010.

The Citizens' Sales Tax Oversight Committee's charge is to review and monitor the collection of the ¾-cent Pension Fund Sales Tax revenues and allocations to ensure that the revenues received by the City are properly deposited into the City's self-funded Police-Fire Pension Fund. The Committee Chair will be asked to report to the City Council at least once every six months. The Committee's role may be expanded in the future to include monitoring other sales-tax revenue sources.

The Committee is expected to meet quarterly. Mayor Jim O'Neal proposed creation of this group after learning about a similar committee established in Joplin to provide oversight of tax-revenue collections.

The City Council's Public Involvement Committee will select the nine-member committee and forward its recommendations to the full Council for approval. The Committee will be comprised of at least five members who live within Springfield City limits. It will serve as an advisory committee to the City Council, so its role will be governed by Sections 15.2 and 15.5 of the City Charter.

For more information, contact: City Manager Greg Burris, 864-1006; or Louise Whall, Director of Public Information, 864-1010.