What is a City Charter?

A City Charter is a different form of government from what we have. Our government uses the State of Ohio Statutory Model as set up in the Ohio Revised Code. A City Charter is like a constitution. A Charter City doesn’t have to follow the rules set up by our state government. A Charter City makes its own rules.

How is a Charter City different from what we have now?

Mount Vernon’s current government structure uses the State of Ohio Statutory Model and has

1. A mayor, elected by the voters for a 4-year term.
2. A president of City Council, elected by the voters for a 2-year term.
3. Seven City Council members, elected by the voters for a 2-year term (4 members from 1 of each of the city’s 4 wards, 3 members from the city at large).
4. A City Auditor, elected by the voters for a 4-year term.
5. A City Treasurer, elected by the voters for a 4-year term.
6. A City Law Director, elected by the voters for a 4-year term.
7. Commission and Board Members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by vote of the City Council.
Some or all of that could change with a City Charter. We could end up with all at large City Council members, who would hire a City Manager and people for the other positions we elect now. The people hired could be people who don’t even live in Knox County, and answer only to City Council. Terms for City Council could be extended from 2 to 4 years, making it more difficult to vote them out of office.

Who is behind this push to change our local government to a Charter City?

City Council member Sam Barone is behind the push to place the referendum on the ballot. In his interview with The Mount Vernon News, reported on 7/10, it was stated that he was the first to raise the charter issue at council, announcing that he and a few other people had been talking in general terms about charter government. Just why is he pushing this extreme change in local control? It can’t be for the citizens of Mount Vernon. It can only be for one thing… more power and control. Five of the 7 Council members pushed this issue onto the ballot in less than 2 months. Citizens who have talked to us are suspicious as to why the rush? Council members Nancy Vail and Janis Seavolt appear to be the only members that feel either more time should be given to the discussion or do not think Charter Government will improve the operations of our city. Read the full newspaper article of 7/10/2018.

I am confused as to what a City Charter is. How do I vote?

Vote “NO” or contact this website and submit additional questions.

If I like how our government is structured currently and don’t want a City Charter form of government, how do I vote?

Vote “NO”.

If I vote “NO” should I vote for the 15 member Commission?

Everyone should vote for the members of the Commission. If the Charter is voted down no Commission will be assembled.

Should I vote for a total of 15 candidates for the Commission?

The top 15 candidates will win a seat on the Commission if the Charter vote is “YES.” You may want to vote for only the candidates you are familiar with who you believe will represent you, not all 15.
If the Charter passes, when will we see the document that describes the new government structure? Residents will be able to see the document by July 2019. The drafted Charter would be voted on at the November 2019 election.

If the Charter passes, will the city operation expenses increase?

Nobody knows what the new Charter government will look like. If someone says anything about what the city government will look like they are only guessing- the Charter has not been written. You can almost be guaranteed that the yearly cost of government will be more expensive if there is a change.

Under a Charter government:
Will we have a Mayor?
Will we have a City Manager?
Will we have 5, 7, or 9 council members?
Will we have council members elected by Wards?
Will we have all council members voted at-large?
Will term limits be the same or changed?
Will we have a Director of Safety?
Will we have a Director of Services?
Will we have an elected City Treasurer?

Nobody knows what the new Charter government will look like until it is created.