Just days into the new budget year, Mayor Tim Davlin says he plans to provide Springfield residents with monthly updates on the city’s financial state.
Davlin said the updates will let residents track all the city’s revenues, from property taxes to sales taxes, dating back four or five years.
“We’re trying to put it in a format and get it out every month so the average person can just see what the economy is like for the city of Springfield,” Davlin told reporters after Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Davlin said he hopes the information will help give residents a better understanding of the city’s budget situation.
“I think we all need to know that. We need to be as open as we can and fair to the unions that we’re asking to take concessions. The fact that we’re going to take a look at where we are in the budget after six months — I want them to know where we are after 30, 60, 90, 120 days,” Davlin said.
“I’d like for the general public to know where we are and how we stand and see how our income has declined over the last couple years,” he said. “Springfield’s no different than any other community.”
In asking unions and non-union employees to take six furlough days before Sept. 1, Davlin’s administration has said the city will monitor the city’s revenues to determine if additional furlough days or concessions are needed. Several unions requested monthly updates, as well.
Deana Poole can be reached at 788-1533.
Read the original article from The State Journal-Register.