The Springfield, MO City Council is a nine-member, nonpartisan body made up of a mayor, four general-seat members elected citywide, and four members who each represent one of the city’s four geographic zones. It sets policy, passes ordinances, and approves the city budget, while a professionally appointed city manager runs daily operations. Meetings are open to the public every other Monday at 6:30 p.m., and residents can speak if they sign up in advance.
Who Serves on the Council
Nine seats, all four-year terms. The mayor and four general-seat councilmembers are elected at large by voters across Springfield. The four zone members are elected only by residents of their own zone: Zone 1 in the northwest, Zone 2 in the northeast, Zone 3 in the southwest, and Zone 4 in the southeast.1City of Springfield, MO. City Council Elections are staggered so that two general seats and two zone seats are on the ballot each cycle.2Municode Library. Springfield City Charter Article II – The Council
The mayor’s term became four years starting with the 2025 general municipal election, up from two years previously, and the mayor is now limited to two consecutive terms. The mayor presides over council meetings.
What the Council Does
The council’s work is legislative. It passes ordinances, sets policy for every city department, and approves the annual budget, which runs well above $500 million across all funds. The city manager prepares the proposed budget, and the council holds workshops to review it before the fiscal year starts July 1.3City of Springfield, MO. The City’s Budget
The council also appoints the city manager and city clerk, both of whom serve at its pleasure.4City of Springfield, MO. Government Through ordinances, members shape zoning, public safety rules, and infrastructure spending.
When and Where Meetings Happen
Regular council meetings are held every other Monday at 6:30 p.m., with typically only one meeting in December.1City of Springfield, MO. City Council The meeting location is the City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Facility inside the Springfield Regional Police & Fire Training Center at 2620 W. Battlefield, not the Historic City Hall building.
If you cannot attend, CityView livestreams every meeting and archives the recordings.5CityView Springfield. City Council Meeting Live Agendas and minutes are posted online, so you can see what was voted on and how each member voted without watching the full session.
How to Speak at a Meeting or Send Comments
To address the council in person, sign up through the city’s online form with your name, address, email, phone number, and the agenda item you want to discuss.6City of Springfield, MO. Sign Up to Speak at a City Council Meeting Deadlines depend on what you want to talk about:
- For an agenda item, sign up online by 3 p.m. on meeting day. After 3 p.m., you can still sign up in person with the City Clerk at the meeting.
- For a topic that is not on the agenda, notify the City Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the meeting.
- To have an item pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion, notify the City Clerk before the meeting starts.
Speakers get five minutes at the podium. The limit drops to three minutes when eight or more people sign up on the same item.6City of Springfield, MO. Sign Up to Speak at a City Council Meeting If you would rather not speak publicly, you can mail comments to the council at 840 Boonville, Springfield, MO 65802, email citycouncil@springfieldmo.gov, or use the written comment form on the city’s website.7City of Springfield, MO. Citizen Comment Form for Regular Springfield City Council Meetings
Running for a Council Seat
To run, you must be at least 21 years old, a qualified voter, and a Springfield resident for at least one year before the election. You cannot owe delinquent taxes or other debts to the city.8City of Springfield, MO. Run for City Council Zone candidates must have lived in the specific zone they want to represent for at least a year before the election, and members must keep residing within their zone or the city throughout their term.2Municode Library. Springfield City Charter Article II – The Council
Springfield’s municipal elections are held in April, and the next general municipal election is scheduled for April 7, 2026.9Missouri Secretary of State. 2026 Missouri Election Calendar Races are nonpartisan, so candidates do not appear on the ballot with a party label. You can confirm which zone you live in using the city’s online mapping tool.
Pay and Conflict-of-Interest Rules
Council service is close to a volunteer role. Councilmembers receive no salary. They can be reimbursed for specific duty-related expenses only if the council approves the reimbursement in advance by ordinance or resolution. The mayor receives $200 per month, plus up to $100 per month for incidental expenses.10City of Springfield, MO. Frequently Asked Questions
The charter bars council members from having a direct or indirect financial interest in any city contract or in the sale of land, materials, supplies, or services to the city. Members cannot hold any paid position within city government during their term, and sitting city employees cannot serve on the council.8City of Springfield, MO. Run for City Council
What Happens When a Seat Opens Mid-Term
If a seat becomes vacant between elections, the remaining council members appoint a replacement rather than calling a special election. That appointee serves until the next regular municipal election, when voters choose someone to finish any remaining portion of the term.11City of Springfield, MO. City Clerk Details Process for Filling Zone 1 City Council Vacancy The procedure is set out in Section 2.5 of the City Charter.