Aldermen Approve Inspector General Position — Now What?

Transparency and good government are coming to Springfield by way of an inspector general… maybe.

Aldermen updated city code to allow for the position, but there’s no funding mechanism. Mayor Mike Houston said there likely won’t be any new money for it.

“I would envision if we are going to fund this, we’re going to have to fund this out of existing services being provided,” Houston said.

It’s estimated the office will cost between $200,000 and $300,000 annually. Funding the office will be discussed in a couple of months when budget hearings begin.

The inspector general position has been in city code since 1988 but was never funded. Talks to revive the office came about starting in 2013 when the police document shredding scandal came to light.