Ethics complaint filed against Springfield United

Last edited 4:32 p.m., Oct. 21, 2022

An ethics complaint has been filed against Springfield United, the political action committee in support of the Galloway Village rezoning vote.

Resident Linda Simkins, who publishes on the government watchdog Facebook page she runs called Springfield/Greene County Start Local, alleges in a complaint issued yesterday to the Missouri Ethics Commission that Springfield United has committed violations of Missouri statutes.

In response to Simkins' MEC complaint, a Springfield United statement provided to Springfield Business Journal called one issue an “oversight” and claimed another was without merit.

"This complaint is a nothingburger of a story,” the statement reads.

In documentation provided to media outlets, Simkins cited an alleged failure by Springfield United to file the required October campaign finance disclosure report on time.

She further alleges a possible violation of section 130.021 of Missouri’s revised statutes. That allegation involves Brett Adams, treasurer for Springfield United, who she says does not live within Springfield city limits. The section requires treasurers for committees to "be a resident of this state and reside in the district or county in which the committee sits."

"The committee was organized to support a municipal ballot issue of the city of Springfield and is required to sit within the city limits of Springfield," the complaint alleges.

Springfield United's committee summary on file with the MEC points to a PO Box in Springfield with the ZIP code 65841 for Adams. Simkins' complaint alleges the ZIP code is nonexistent.

"Although the MEC maintains and urges confidentiality of complaints, I believe it necessary to make this public before the election," Simkins said in a provided statement. “While I do not live in Galloway, nor am I a member of the (Galloway Village Neighborhood Association), it is imperative that citizens have full transparency and disclosure, as required by law, of those individuals and entities funding campaigns, and especially local campaigns."

The statement from Springfield United states the campaign finance report issue was "an oversight by our campaign." Simkins’ complaint states the filing was due Oct. 17.

Springfield United filed its October quarterly report with the MEC yesterday. It indicates the PAC had $5,751 in money on hand at the end of the reporting period.

Springfield United's disclosure report with the MEC also lists Adams' ZIP code as 65841.

"As it relates to Mr. Adams, (Missouri) law requires treasurers to be a resident of Missouri. And our committee organizational filing has been approved by state ethics," the Springfield United statement reads.

Springfield United is advocating for a rezoning proposal that will go before Springfield voters on Nov. 8. The campaign has gathered endorsements from organizations such as the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield and individuals such as Missouri State University President Clif Smart and Ozarks Technical Community College Chancellor Hal Higdon, according to past reporting.

Developer Mitch Jenkins' Elevation Enterprises LLC is seeking a rezoning of 4.2 acres on Lone Pine Avenue to pave the way for a mixed-use project called Treadway, across from Sequiota Park. The yearslong effort, if approved by voters, would allow Elevation to move forward on the mixed-used project with housing and commercial spaces.

The GVNA this summer won an appeal in a case brought against it by Elevation Enterprises and the city, maintaining the public may use the municipal election process to appeal city zoning decisions, according to past reporting.

The neighborhood association has led opposition efforts to the rezoning and, similar to Springfield United, has been placing yard signs in an effort to inform voters ahead of the November election.

The GNVA is registered with the MEC as a noncommittee under the “committee type” section. Its noncommittee expenditure report issued to the MEC on Sept. 15 shows $2,350 spent on yard signs and $1,817 on T-shirts. An expenditure report filed Oct. 19 shows $800 spent on billboard advertising.