Springfield City Commission hears 2026 budget; finance director says plan balanced but relies on one‑time fixes

City Finance Director Katie Evanston told the Springfield City Commission at a public hearing that the administration’s 2026 preliminary budget is balanced but depends heavily on one‑time transfers and operational reductions.

Evanston said General Fund revenues are projected at about $61.3 million for 2026, an increase of roughly $5.7 million compared with the revised 2025 budget. She said most of that apparent increase stems from a one‑time timing change tied to the city’s transition to a regional income tax collection agency (RETA), not from new recurring growth: “This timing change is the only reason the year‑over‑year income tax numbers appear higher. It is not new growth and will not repeat,” Evanston said.

The finance director said the budget began with a projected $6.9 million operational deficit for 2026. City leaders closed that gap through targeted operational efficiencies, a voluntary separation incentive program (VSIP), reductions in transfers…