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Alderman warns new Bank of Springfield Center board could become 'another taxing body'
Summary
At the Committee of the Whole meeting March 31, an alderman praised a press conference about a downtown Bank of Springfield Center expansion while another alderman said the proposed board risks creating 'another taxing body' and questioned local representation.
Alderman Carson reported members had attended a press conference about an expansion of the Bank of Springfield Center, praised bipartisan support for the project and named state Senator Doris Turner, Mike Coffey, County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter and Mayor Misty Buscher as participants.
"It's exciting that...when you have business and labor put partisanship aside, I think it's going to pay dividends," Carson said, urging colleagues to keep an open mind as the process moves forward.
Alderman Williams responded that the arrangement could be harmful to the city, arguing it would create "another taxing body." Williams said he did not view the proposed board as giving the city adequate authority over downtown decisions, questioned whether downtown aldermen had been involved and warned against ceding local control.
"It's not a good thing for the city. It creates another taxing body," Williams said, adding that the city council should remain the authority for downtown matters.
The exchange in the meeting record is a report of local elected officials debating a downtown development process; no ordinance or formal board creation appeared on the committee's agenda during this session, and no vote on the matter occurred. The discussion closed with appeals to continue review through the appropriate process.
