Isn’t City Council authorized to levy a property tax without a public vote?
The pension ordinance approved by voters in 1958 authorized the City to levy a property tax up to 1.5 mills. This is not currently collected, and was proposed to City Council for consideration. This would not solve the issue without another significant funding source. The Council did not take action on the proposal. The general consensus was that, although they had the authority to make the change, it would not be prudent to re-establish it without a public vote. Property taxes are paid only by city property owners. Non-residents, who use public safety and other services while in Springfield, would not share in the cost.
