Board approves budget amendment, rezoning and multiple code updates; sidewalk regulation fails

The Springfield Board of Mayor and Aldermen on an (unspecified) July meeting voted on a package of budget, zoning, code and administrative items. Major actions included a carryover budget amendment, approval of a rezoning at 967 North Brown Street, first-reading votes to update multiple municipal codes to the 2021 editions, changes to utility rates, and several administrative agreements and appointments. One ordinance altering sidewalk regulations in the downtown core failed 5–2.

Why it matters: The votes move several items that affect city finances, development rules and utility charges forward. Aligning local codes with the state-adopted 2021 codes affects construction, permitting and inspections; the budget amendment moves unfinished projects into the current fiscal-year plan; and utility rate actions affect customers when they take effect.

Ordinances and key outcomes

• Ordinance 25-13 (FY2026 budget amendment): Board members approved an amendment to ordinance 25-13 on second and final reading after adding three carryover projects from the prior year. The board voted 7–0 to adopt the amendment and then 7–0 to adopt the amended ordinance. Staff said the amendment brings forward three additional projects that were not completed in the previous fiscal year.

• Ordinance 25-14 (rezoning, 967 North Brown Street): The board approved rezoning the property at 967 North Brown Street from R-10 (medium-density residential) to MRO (multi-residential and office) on second and final reading, 7–0.

• Ordinances rescinding earlier local adoptions to adopt the 2021 model codes (first reading action, 7–0 unless noted): The board took first-reading votes approving ordinances to rescind previous local code adoptions and align with the 2021 codes, including: - Ordinance 25-15 (rescinding ordinance 23-08; 2021 building code) - Ordinance 25-16 (rescinding ordinance 23-12; 2021 energy conservation code) - Ordinance 25-17 (rescinding ordinance 23-16; 2021 existing building code) - Ordinance 25-18 (rescinding ordinance 23-14; 2021 gas code) - Ordinance 25-19 (rescinding ordinance 23-10; 2021 mechanical code) - Ordinance 25-20 (rescinding ordinance 23-09; 2021 plumbing code) - Ordinance 25-21 (rescinding ordinance 23-11; 2021 property maintenance code) - Ordinance 25-22 (rescinding ordinance 23-13; 2021 fire code)

Each of the above passed on first reading, 7–0. Second-reading votes or formal adoption dates were not specified in the record provided.

• Ordinance 25-24 (retail electric rates): The board approved first reading of an ordinance amending retail electric rates as part of the FY2026 budget. Staff described the change as effective in October and said it includes a $4 increase in the customer charge and a fractional per-kilowatt-hour increase. The motion passed 7–0 on first reading.

• Ordinance 25-25 (zoning: nonconforming uses): The board approved a zoning ordinance amendment to align local rules on reconstruction and discontinuance of nonconforming uses with state law. Staff said state law preempts local rules in this area; the motion passed 7–0.

• Resolution 25-14 (surplus property): The board declared certain property surplus and authorized disposal under resolution 25-14; the motion passed 7–0.

Administrative items and other votes (passed 7–0 unless noted)

• Adjustments to Springfield Electric Department retail rates in response to a wholesale fuel cost adjustment by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) — motion passed 7–0.

• Adjustment of monthly gas rates for the Springfield Gas Department — staff reported a purchase decrease of 0.3¢ and an across-the-board decrease described in the meeting as $44; the motion passed 7–0.

• Appointments to various boards and commissions — motion passed 7–0.

• Funding for the city’s contribution to the TVA Home Uplift program — motion passed 7–0.

• A traffic-committee recommendation on on-street parking in Eden Point Subdivision (the committee recommended limiting parking to one side of the street in most cases) — the motion to accept the committee recommendation passed 7–0.

• Agreement renewal between Austin Peay State University’s GIS Center and the city’s water/wastewater department (renewal described as a continuation of a mutually beneficial mapping partnership; staff said the arrangement is materially less expensive than hiring private consultants) — motion passed 7–0.

Votes at a glance

All roll-call tallies announced in the meeting were either unanimous (7–0) or, for the sidewalk ordinance, 5–2 (failed). Individual vote-by-name tallies were not read into the record for every action; where the meeting gave only a tally, the article records the announced counts.

Other city business

City staff reported that Garner Street Park improvements are substantially complete; the playground was temporarily closed for contractor tweaks but other park features are open. The city manager reported sales tax revenue so far in the fiscal year is running stronger than projection.

What’s next

Items passed on first reading will return when scheduled for second readings or adoption where required. The rescue/rescind-and-adopt actions to align local codes with 2021 editions will require the formal second-reading/adoption steps specified by the municipal process.