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Green, Ohio —
Every seven years, Green’s Charter Review Commission reviews the city’s charter and suggests updates.
During its most recent review, the commission suggested six amendments to the charter. On July 10, Green City Council approved the amendments, which will go the Board of Elections for review to be placed on the ballot in November. They include:
- A resolution that would permit the mayor to serve three consecutive four-year terms.
- A resolution that would require the mayor to devote his entire time and effort during regular business hours to conduct the business of the city.
- A resolution that would allow city council 45 days to fill a vacancy on the council.
- A resolution that would allow the council to approve changes to the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission that differ from those established by the Ohio Revised Code.
- A resolution allowing a portion of the 7 percent income tax reserved for the Parks and Recreation Program be used for special events in the city.
- A resolution allowing council to correct typographical errors and make corrections to the charter in compliance with Ohio law.
The term limit issue was discussed. Dave France and Chris Humphrey voted for the issue. Casting dissenting votes were Jim Colopy, John Summerville, Joel Reed, Ken Knodel and Gerard Neugebauer.
“I have a very deep respect both professionally and personally for the members of the Charter Review Commission, but simply put, I think they got this one wrong,” Colopy said.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people and they are astounded that we were even having this conversation, that we would think that it’s a good idea to treat the legislative branch differently from executive when it comes to how long that person can serve in that office,” Reed said.
France and Humphrey both publicly stated while they don’t personally support the extension of the term limit for the mayor, they want to put it to the voters to decide.
“I think that when we became a city and first formed our charter, we put it to the residents. They got a vote and they got to make the decision,” France said.
Every seven years, Green’s Charter Review Commission reviews the city’s charter and suggests updates.
During its most recent review, the commission suggested six amendments to the charter. On July 10, Green City Council approved the amendments, which will go the Board of Elections for review to be placed on the ballot in November. They include:
- A resolution that would permit the mayor to serve three consecutive four-year terms.
- A resolution that would require the mayor to devote his entire time and effort during regular business hours to conduct the business of the city.
- A resolution that would allow city council 45 days to fill a vacancy on the council.
- A resolution that would allow the council to approve changes to the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission that differ from those established by the Ohio Revised Code.
- A resolution allowing a portion of the 7 percent income tax reserved for the Parks and Recreation Program be used for special events in the city.
- A resolution allowing council to correct typographical errors and make corrections to the charter in compliance with Ohio law.
The term limit issue was discussed. Dave France and Chris Humphrey voted for the issue. Casting dissenting votes were Jim Colopy, John Summerville, Joel Reed, Ken Knodel and Gerard Neugebauer.
“I have a very deep respect both professionally and personally for the members of the Charter Review Commission, but simply put, I think they got this one wrong,” Colopy said.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people and they are astounded that we were even having this conversation, that we would think that it’s a good idea to treat the legislative branch differently from executive when it comes to how long that person can serve in that office,” Reed said.
France and Humphrey both publicly stated while they don’t personally support the extension of the term limit for the mayor, they want to put it to the voters to decide.
“I think that when we became a city and first formed our charter, we put it to the residents. They got a vote and they got to make the decision,” France said.
