Steven Spearie
The State Journal-Register
Mayor Jim Langfelder officially vetoed an ordinance that decreased the minimum contract amounts for which Springfield City Council approval is required. The April 20 vote, which was approved 6-4, lowered the spending amount for the mayor and city departments from $50,000 to $10,000.
In a filing before Tuesday’s city council meeting, Langfelder reiterated his position that the ordinance would slow down city business. “The proposed change will result in significant delays and inefficiency to the regular daily operations of city government,” Langfelder said.
The mayor held up ShotSpotter Connect, the next phase of software enhancement that will be used by the Springfield Police Department, as an example of a program that could be delayed under the ordinance.
The software costs around $40,000 and could be implemented, Langfelder said, as soon as June or July instead of September. “That makes a big difference,” he said.
It would take seven votes to override Langfelder’s veto. Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory, Ward 3 Ald. Roy Williams, Ward 4 Ald. John Fulgenzi and Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin voted against the ordinance.
***
Langfelder last used a veto in early 2020 when he vetoed an ordinance that required additional payments toward police and fire pensions when the city’s corporate fund balance went above 20%. The previous level had been set at 16%. Langfelder’s rationale was that the city’s fund balance rarely hit the 20% level.
The council voted to override the veto.
The ordinance on the spending now goes to the debate agenda at the May 18 meeting.
***
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 