Public Meetings
What is a Charter City?
Wilmington is currently a Statutory City, meaning our local governance is dictated by the default statues of Ohio. However, around 1960 many cities like Lebanon (when they were barely 5,000 people), declared statutory law “cumbersome, expensive, and poorly adapted to the needs of a municipality.” Today, over 60% of Ohio cities that are the same size as Wilmington (10,000–15,000 people) are a Charter City. Join our quarterly public meetings to learn the benefits of becoming a Charter City for "home rule" over the quality and consistency of our community’s future success.
Statutory City
Charter City
Ryan Perry (R), Mayor of Trenton, Butler County, Ohio (population 14,131):
"Our City Manager [has] more than paid for himself... What [he] does is [he] plans a vision for the future that isn't changing every few years... We've had our city manager for eight years and you can really see the vision take shape once you've had that spot permanently [filled] for a long run... The good thing about having a city manager is [they're] professionals... He's trained to run the city... I actually think it's great that you're letting professionals actually run [the city], but you still have the oversight of Council."
Dave Kennedy, City Manager of Loveland, Ohio (population 13,277):
“[A charter is] written by the people of the town. That’s the key and it’s changed by the people of the town. It’s the true constitution of the community... It’s the only format [of government] you’re ever going to have to cater it to what you do need.”
Steering Committee
A Charter is written by a 'Charter Commission' of 15 elected community members. While work is still being done to spread awareness before putting this on the ballot, there is a growing group of community leaders, known as a 'Steering Committee' (and hopefully the eventual elected 'Charter Commission'), helping educate our community on the benefits of becoming a Charter City.
Possible Benefits of Becoming a Charter City
FAQ
Q: What is a Charter?
A: A Charter provides the basic rules for the operation of municipal government and is like a Constitution, but for a city.
Q: How is a Charter different from other forms of municipal government?
A: A Charter is a document tailored by 15 elected residents of the city (called a Charter Commission) to create "home rule" for the operation of the city, whereas other forms of municipal government are dictated by the Ohio Revised Code and cannot be tailored to a city’s needs.
Q: What happens if the proposed Charter is not adopted?
A: The City of Wilmington will be governed by default statutory provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, which do not provide the flexibility or specificity that a Charter provides.
Q: If the proposed Charter is approved by voters, how are current City Council members impacted?
A: The City Council members who are in office will continue holding their office until the expiration of his or her term.
Q: If the proposed Charter is approved by voters, how is the current Mayor impacted?
A: The Mayor who is in office will continue holding the office of Mayor until the end of his term.
Q: Is a Charter City more expensive than a Statutory City?
A: No. "The argument is often made that it will cost too much to have a charter. I submit that you can't afford to be without a charter. Money mishandled, programs not completed, personal battles among the officials without clear answers to their respective responsibilities result in ineffective governmental operations and citizen dissatisfaction. The cost of a charter is small compared to inefficiency. You get what you pay for." - John Gotherman, Ohio Municipal League
Q: Is Wilmington too small to be a Charter City?
A: No. The majority of Charter Cities in the State of Ohio are between 5,000 and 15,000 people.
How to become a Charter City?
Elect a Commission
Wilmington will vote on two issues: 1) IF a charter should be created, and; 2) WHO will be on the 15 member Charter Commission to create it.
1
Create a Draft Charter
The elected 15 member Charter Commission will DRAFT a proposed charter for the City of Wilmington.
2
Vote for the Charter
The Charter Commission will mail out the proposed charter for residents to review and VOTE upon in a second election.
3
Contact us to sign petition!
The Board of Elections requires old fashion signatures with pen and ink. Contact us to schedule a time to meet or visit.