Springfield council to interview six Ward 4 interim candidates, sets April 6 schedule

City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith told the council the city manager’s office had verified six applicants for the Ward 4 interim seat and scheduled interviews on April 6; she asked for direction on interview structure and voting procedures.

Smith summarized the packet: "You are scheduled for interviews on April 6," and said staff had included sample questions from prior vacancies. Councilors debated whether to interview all applicants or narrow the list. After discussion the council agreed to interview every applicant and to aim for about 15 minutes per person on April 6, with a possible follow‑up deliberation when all councilors are available.

Councilors refined the interview questions to reduce redundancy and add clearer, policy‑focused prompts about the major issues facing the council. Councilor Weber asked that staff add explicit information about the time commitment for the interim position (including the near‑term budget process and committee liaison work) to the AIS so candidates and the public are informed in advance.

On voting, Smith reminded the council the charter requires a majority of the six council members to appoint an interim: "I interpret that to mean you need 4 votes to fill the vacancy," she said, and described a stepwise approach (temperature check followed by a straw‑man ballot if needed) to narrow the field. The council asked staff to prepare the revised questions for the April 6 packet and to flag process concerns so the council does not deliberate improperly during interviews.

What’s next: staff will publish the revised interview questions and time‑commitment details in the April 6 packet. Interviews are scheduled for April 6, with up to 15 minutes per candidate; council deliberation and a final vote will occur once the council has completed interviews and can meet with a full quorum if necessary.