The Council

Section 2.1. Number and term

(1) Election of Mayor

One member of the City Council shall be known as the mayor who shall be elected to that office by the qualified voters of the city at large for a term of two years who shall serve until his successor shall be elected and qualified. Provisions of this Section shall apply at the next regular municipal election, at which time the mayor shall be elected for a term of two years and one General Councilmember for a term of four years. Thereafter at the next regular municipal election the mayor shall be elected for a term of two years, and at each regular municipal election there shall be elected two General Councilmembers and two Zone Councilmembers for terms of four years except at the Municipal election in 1981 the General Councilmembers shall be elected for a short term of two years. The mayor shall be prohibited from serving more than four consecutive terms as Mayor.

Approved by vote of the people April 1, 1986.

(2) Number and Term

The Council shall consist of nine (9) members to be known as Councilwomen or Councilmen, each of whom shall be elected for a term of four (4) years and shall serve until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified. Reference to "Councilmember" as used throughout this Charter is intended to mean "Councilwoman" or "Councilman" depending upon the gender. Five Councilmembers known as General Councilmembers shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city at large. Four (4) of the Councilmembers to be elected shall reside respectively in Zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 and are to be known as Zone Councilmembers. Zone Councilmembers shall be elected by the qualified voters of the zone in which they reside.

General Councilmembers' seats or positions shall be individually designated by number or by letter or by other reasonable designation, and shall thereby be distinguished from one another for purposes of appointment and election.
Approved by vote of the people April 3, 1984.

(3) Running for Another Council Office - Limitation

No member of City Council may file for another City Council office, other than the office of mayor, if such other City Council office has a term overlapping the term of office that the member of council then holds, unless the member of council first gives written notice to the city clerk of intent to so file not later than 30 days prior to the date upon which one can first file for such other office. The giving of written notice of intention to file for such overlapping office shall constitute an irrevocable resignation of the office that the Councilmember then holds effective as of the date upon which the results of the general city election are certified for such other office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter to the contrary, the office to be vacated by the irrevocable resignation shall be filled by the qualified voters for the balance of the term thereof at the same aforesaid general city election held after the notice of intent to file for the other office is given.
Approved by vote of the people February 5, 1985.

Section 2.2. Qualifications

A councilmember hereafter elected or appointed shall be a qualified voter of the city and shall have been a resident thereof for at least two years immediately prior to his or her election or appointment. The four zone councilmembers hereafter elected or appointed shall be residents and qualified and registered voters of the respective zones provided for in Section 1.4. Each zone councilmember hereafter elected or appointed shall have been a resident of his or her zone for at least one year immediately prior to his or her election or appointment. No councilmember shall be a candidate or nominee for or hold any other lucrative public office or hold a lucrative position in the city government during his or her term as councilmember, except the following persons shall not be disqualified: A member of the National Guard or Naval or Military Reserve or Notary Public. A city councilmember should not be employed by the City of Springfield or any of its departments, boards, or agencies for a period of one (1) year after leaving the position of councilmember. If a councilmember shall cease to possess the above qualifications or shall be convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, his or her office shall immediately become vacant.
Approved by vote of the people April 3, 1984.

Section 2.3 Salary

(1) The councilmembers shall receive no salary, but they, including the mayor, shall be reimbursed for any necessary specific expenses incurred in connection with their duties as provided by ordinance or resolution of the Council prior to incurring such expenses.

(2) The mayor shall receive a salary of $200.00 per month, provided, however, the council may provide a fund for incidental expenses incurred in the performance of his duties not to exceed $100.00 per month, for which no accounting shall be required.

Approved by vote of the people April 1, 1986.

Section 2.4. Rules of order

The council shall determine by ordinance its own rules and order of business. It shall keep a journal of its proceedings, which shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable hours. It shall be the judge of election returns and qualifications of its members, and may punish its members for disorderly behavior. A majority thereof shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as the council may provide. The affirmative vote of a majority of the entire council shall be necessary to adopt any ordinance, resolution, or motion. The "ayes" and "nays" on any question shall, at the request of any member, be entered in the journal, and the "ayes" and "nays" shall be recorded on the final passage of every ordinance or resolution.

Section 2.5. Vacancies

Vacancies in the office of Councilmembers shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Council for a period running to the next regular city election, at which time a successor shall be elected for the unexpired term.

Approved by vote of the people April 3, 1984.

Section 2.6. Mayor; Election and duties

The mayor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city at large for a term of two (2) years and shall have no regular administrative duties. He shall preside at all meetings of the council and shall be recognized as head of the city government for all legal and ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law. He shall have the same right to vote as any other member of the council, but shall have no veto power. The council shall also select from among the councilmembers a mayor "pro-tempore," who shall act as mayor during the mayor's absence or the mayor's inability to act. If a vacancy should occur, the mayor "pro-tempore" shall assume the office of mayor until the next election or until such time as Council shall call a special election.

Approved by vote of the people April 1, 1986.