April 27, 2026 City Council Special Session and Work Session

The City of Springfield, Oregon held a special session and work session on April 27, 2026. The meeting included ceremonial items such as the oath of office for an interim Ward 4 councilor and proclamations recognizing Emergency Medical Services Week and National Police Week. The primary procurement-related discussion focused on an update to the city's master fees and charges schedule. Staff presented proposed fee increases based on internal cost escalations and inflation, with most fees adjusted by 4.5% for staffing costs or 2.7% for inflation. The ambulance transport fee was noted for a higher adjustment due to cost recovery challenges, especially given that a large portion of transports are Medicaid or Medicare and not fully reimbursed. The council discussed the impact of absorbing credit card processing fees and considered options such as reinstating a cap on credit card payments or passing fees onto users, with a preference for exploring alternative online payment methods. The council provided consensus to move forward with the fee package for a public hearing in June, while noting that wastewater and stormwater fees would be addressed separately. No formal votes were recorded during this session, but guidance was given to staff to prepare the fee adjustments for further consideration.