GRAFTON VOTER INFORMATION
For the upcoming November 6, 2018
General Election PROPOSED Charter Amendments
Prepared by the Office of the Village Administrator Joe Price; this informational publication is intended to provide public-voter awareness of 3 proposed Village Charter amendments the Grafton voters will decide on November 6, 2018.
In accordance with Village Charter, ARTICLE XIV, Council commissioned a 2018 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION. The 2018 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION recommended the following items be considered by the electorate of the Village of Grafton in the November 6, 2018 General Election
The first of three proposed amendments if affirmed addresses Village debt limitation. The current limitation was established in 1970. The proposed amendment is the recommendation of the 2018 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION, believing that it is in the best interests of the Village of Grafton to establish a debt limit in accord with that established by Ohio Revised Code (ORC). Primarily this action is needed to assure compliance with current ORC and to facilitate funding future public works projects including economic development projects, resources and incentive programs.
The voters will see the proposed amendment as follows;
VILLAGE OF GRAFTON
CHARTER ADMENDMENT
TO ADMEND ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 11 OF THE CHARTER FOR THE VILLAGE OF GRAFTON, OHIO, TO REQUIRE THAT THE LIMITATION OF DEBT FOR THE MUNICIPALITY COMFORM TO THE DEBT LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO
“PROPOSED CHARTER ADMENDMENT
VILLAGE OF GRAFTON, OHIO
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
(Modified Language in bold print.)
Shall Article VIII, Section 11 of the Charter for the Village of
Grafton, Ohio be amended to require that the limitation of debt
For the Municipality conform to the debt limitations imposed by
The Constitution and Laws of the State of Ohio?
If affirmed by voters the language of Article VIII, Section 11 shall
read as follows:
Section 11. Debt Limitation
The Municipality shall not incur debt in excess of the limitations
Imposed by the Constitution and laws of the State of Ohio.”
The second of three proposed amendments if affirmed by voters will allow the Mayor with the approval of Council, to appoint any future qualified Clerk-Treasurer to oversee Village finances. Currently this is an elected position. Municipal finances, public record compliance, public official ethics and state audit compliance have become increasingly specialized. The Clerk-Treasurer must have the knowledge and experience required to fulfill all the official duties the office requires. The complexity of this position limits the pool of qualified candidates. The proposed amendment is based upon the 2018 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION’s belief that making the Clerk-Treasurer an “appointed” position will better ensure that candidates applying for such position will have the skill, qualifications and experience required. If not amended, it is possible an unopposed candidate lacking the necessary skill, qualifications and experienced could be elected to a 4-year term.
The voters will see the proposed amendment as follows;
VILLAGE OF GRAFTON
CHARTER ADMENDMENT
TO AMEND ARTICLE V, SECTION 1 OF THE CHARTER FOR THE VILLAGE OF GRAFTON, OHIO, TO MODIFY THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH THE POSITION OF CLERK-TREASURER IS DETERMINED, FROM AN ELECTED POSITION TO AN APPOINTED POSITION, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2020.
“PROPOSED CHARTER ADMENDMENT
VILLAGE OF GRAFTON, OHIO
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
(Modified Language in bold print. Deleted language Shown)
Shall Article V, Section 1 of the Charter for the Village of Grafton,
Ohio be amended to modify the procedure by which the position of
Clerk-Treasurer is determined from an elected position to an appointed
position effective January 1, 2020, and shall the language therein be
deleted requiring he or she to have been a qualified elector and resident
of the municipality for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the date
of his or her appointment and shall continue to be a qualified elector and
resident during his or her term?
The language of Article V, Section 1 shall read as follows:
The Clerk-Treasurer shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the majority of the membership of Council effective January 1, 2020. He or she shall may be removed from the office by the Mayor, but such removal shall not take place without the concurrence of the majority of the membership of Council. He or she shall have been a qualified elector and a resident of this Municipality for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the date of his or her election, and shall continue to be a qualified elector and resident therein during his or her term. He or she shall not serve on continuous active military service in excess of sixty-one (61) days, either State or National, nor shall he or she hold any other public office or public employment, except that of Notary Public or member of the State Militia, National Guard or Reserve Corps of the United States. He or she shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, contract for, receive or be interested in any profit or emolument from or on account of any contract, job, work or service with or for the Municipality.”
Village of Grafton Municipal Charter and more information can be found on American Legal Publishing.
http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/grafton_oh/
The third of three proposed amendments if affirmed address Council’s ability to approve or deny all findings and recommendation of the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals. The Charter currently requires all decisions of the Board of Zoning Appeals be considered final only after the review and approval of Council. The Amendment recommended by the 2018 Charter Review Commission leaves the final decision-making authority in the hands of BOZA.
The voters will see the proposed amendment as follows;
VILLAGE OF GRAFTON
CHARTER ADMENDMENT
TO AMEND ARTICLE VII, SECTION 1 OF THE CHARTER FOR THE VILLAGE OF GRAFTON, OHIO, TO DELETE SUBSECTION (c)(7) REQUIRING PLANS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND REGULATIONS MADE BY THE BOARD OF ZONING AND BUILDING APPEALS BE SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL BEFORE THE SAME BE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL
“PROPOSED CHARTER ADMENDMENT
VILLAGE OF GRAFTON, OHIO
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
(Deleted language shown.)
Shall Article VII, Section 1 of the Charter for the Village of
Grafton, Ohio be amended to comply with the provisions of the
Ohio Revised Code and delete Subsection (c)(7) therein requiring
Plans. Recommendations and regulations made by the Board of
Zoning and Building Appeals be submitted to the Council for
Approval before the same shall be considered official?
The language of Article VII, Section (c) shall read as follows:
Section 1. Board of Zoning and Building Appeals
(c) Powers and Duties. The Board of Zoning and Building
Appeals shall have the following duties and powers:
(7) All plans, recommendations and regulations made by the
Board of Zoning and Building Appeals shall be submitted to the
Council for approval before the same shall be considered official.”