Springfield council approves 2025–26 annual appropriation ordinance; arts council funding kept at $30,000

The Springfield City Council voted 11–0 on Feb. 25 to adopt the annual appropriation ordinance for the fiscal year beginning March 1, 2025, and ending Feb. 28, 2026.

The ordinance, listed on the agenda as item 2025-096, was placed on final passage and approved by roll call after brief comments from aldermen thanking staff for the budget process and two members of the public spoke during the registered comment period.

Bella Zabo, executive director of the Springfield Area Arts Council, told the council that the organization has received a $30,000 annual city contribution for decades and asked members to maintain that funding in the coming fiscal year. "We are not just another nonprofit. We are the foundational arts organization in the community," Zabo said, and she said city support enables events and programs that draw visitors and contract local vendors. Zabo told the council that city funding represents about 20% of the arts council’s budget and that, according to materials she provided from Americans for the Arts, the council’s programs contributed nearly $28,000 annually in local government revenue. She said the council will manage the Levitt AMP concert series in 2025 and cited more than 10,000 visitors to that series in 2024 as an example of economic impact.

An unnamed resident who had signed up to speak raised broader concerns about transparency and access to the budget process, saying some neighborhoods—particularly on the city’s east side—do not see funding directed to needs they consider urgent and noting confusion about the use of cannabis-dispensary funds and TIF money.

Council members offered thanks to the mayor’s office, department heads and budget staff for producing the budget books and making information available before the vote. Chief Scarlet and chief of staff Mike Disco were each referenced during discussion and public comment in connection with budget questions and a separate public safety matter; no additional action on those items was taken at the Feb. 25 meeting.

The clerk conducted a roll-call vote after a brief discussion. The following members voted in favor: Alderman Cox; Alderman Gregory; Alderman Williams; Alderman Rockford; Alderman Purchase; Alderman Notriano; Alderman Carlson; Alderman Connolly; Alderman Donlon; Alderman Hanauer; and Mayor Buscher. The clerk recorded 11 ayes, zero nays; the motion to adopt the annual appropriation ordinance passed.

With the ordinance approved, the council had no new business and adjourned the special meeting.