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.” Sign the petition for Wilmington to start the process of becoming a Charter City so that we can have more home rule over the quality and consistency of our community’s future success.
Other Ohio Charter Cities:
Charter City Education Guide
No Charter
Charter
City Council and Mayor are elected. City Council creates policies. Part-time (or retired) Mayor runs daily operations of the city.
City Council and Mayor are elected to create policies and hire a qualified full-time City Manager who runs daily operations of the city—like a School Board hires a Superintendent or a Port Authority hires a Director.
Numerous city leadership positions are appointed and change with every administration—costing taxpayer money, losing knowledge, and derailing projects and vision the require consistency.
Numerous city leadership positions are hired based on qualifications. Knowledge is retained beyond the terms of elected officials to create consistency for projects and visions to make Wilmington successful.
Default provisions of Ohio law imposed for Wilmington's local municipal government.
Local governance is created to meet the unique needs of Wilmington's community.
City Council candidates hold additional primary elections based on their political party.
City Council candidates run non-partisan based on their merit in General Elections, saving taxpayer money.
Local Income Tax 1.5%
Local Income Tax 1.5%
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 that is specifically tailored by 15 elected citizens of the city (called a Charter Commission) to create rules for the operation of municipal government that fit the needs to the city, whereas other forms of municipal government are governed by specific sections of the Ohio Revised Code that cannot be tailored to a city’s needs.
Q: What happens if the proposed Charter is not adopted?
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 employees impacted?
A: Every employee of the City on November 5, 2024 shall continue in such employment.
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 on November 5, 2024, 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 on November 5, 2024 will continue holding the office of Mayor until the end of his term.
Q: Can the proposed Charter be amended in the future if necessary?
A: Yes. City Council, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members, may submit to voters any proposed amendment. Further, a percentage of electors may sign a petition with any proposed amendment and City Council shall submit the proposed amendment to voters. Also, the proposed Charter may provide for a Charter Review Commission to periodically review (at least every 10 years) whether changes in the City require any amendments to the Charter and make recommendations to City Council regarding proposed amendments.
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
On November 5, 2024, Wilmington will vote if a charter should be created by a commission of 15 members.
1
Create a Charter
All city charters include basic similar language. Below is an example charter the commission could modify.
2
Vote for the Charter
If the issue to create a charter passes on November 5, 2024, the commission finalize a charter for another election.
Date TBD
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.