2 days ago
Committee moves charter ordinance to the rest of council, but what does that mean?
City Council's Legislative, Codes & Regulations committee passed an ordinance that would be the first step for the City of Marion to become a charter city. In passing the ordinance, the committee has given the rest of City Council a chance to consider the legislation.
But the road to becoming a charter city isn't straightforward. There are multiple votes a city must go through to adopt a charter.
The city charter establishes a framework for city government, including its structure and procedures. Cities without a charter, like Marion, use the Ohio Revised Code to organize governments. Those cities are called statutory cities.
The city charter ordinance, which must be passed by two-thirds of City Council to appear on the ballot, was moved to City Council by the Legislative, Codes & Regulations committee on June 2. The ordinance would allow the public to vote on if they would like to form a city charter commission.
There will be three readings of the ordinance, on June 9, June 23 and July 14, before its voted on by the entire council. During the reading, members of the public will be allowed to voice comments about the city charter.
The charter commissioner drafts the city charter. They will have about a year to draft the charter after being elected. The commission will be made up of 15 city residents. The members of the commission are voted on at the same time as the formation of the charter commission.
Members of the commission must be residents of Marion. To run for a spot on the commission, residents must collect 25-50 signatures from residents who are eligible to vote. Petitions must be returned to the Marion County Board of Elections by 4 p.m. Aug. 4.
Residents will vote on the city charter commission formation in the next general election after its passed. This year, the general election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 4.
If the ordinance passes City Council, voters will decide on two things in November. First, they'll decide whether or not they'd like to form a charter commission. No matter what voters decide on that first question, they'll also vote on who should make up the charter commission.
The charter commission will not be formed. City Council can decide to pursue a charter again, but they must pass another ordinance to put the charter question back on the ballot for the next year.
If the charter commission is approved in November and it creates a draft charter within the deadline, a copy of the entire drafted charter will be mailed to residents before the November election in 2026. Voters will get to decide whether or not to adopt the charter in November 2026.
The charter will not be adopted. City Council can decide to pursue a charter again, but the process will start from the beginning. They must pass another ordinance to put the charter commission back on the ballot then if that passes, the following year a draft charter can be voted on again.
If a charter is adopted, the charter can be amended. There are two ways according to Ohio Revised Code. An amendment can be suggested by City Council by a two-thirds majority vote or if 10% of electors sign a petition.
Any suggested amendment would be placed on the ballot and require a majority vote from City of Marion residents for adoption.
Some cities create charter review commissions that review the charter every few years or every year and suggest amendments.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion city charter ordinance moves from committee to council
