A charter city government is a form of municipal government that allows a city to operate under its own locally written constitution, called a city charter, rather than relying solely on the default structure established by state law. In Ohio, this authority comes from the Home Rule Amendment of the Ohio Constitution, which gives municipalities the power to govern local affairs through a charter, as long as the charter does not conflict with the Ohio Constitution or general state laws.
What Is a City Charter?
A city charter is the city’s governing document. It outlines:
- The structure of the city government.
- The powers and duties of elected officials.
- How city departments operate.
- Procedures for elections, budgeting, legislation, and appointments.
- Rules for accountability and transparency.
- Local policies that reflect the community’s priorities.
Think of it as a city’s constitution.
How Is a Charter Created?
A charter is not written by city officials behind closed doors. Instead, the process is designed to involve the public.
January 15, 2024
Step 1: Voters Approve a Charter Commission
Citizens vote on whether to create a charter commission.
Step 2: Citizens Elect Charter Commissioners
If approved, voters elect local residents to serve on the commission.
Step 3: The Commission Writes the Charter
The commission:
• Drafts a proposed charter tailored to the community.
• Holds public meetings.
• Accepts public input.
• Researches other successful charters.
Step 4: Public Review
Once completed, the proposed charter is made available for every voter to read before the election.
Step 5: Final Vote
The charter does not become law unless a majority of voters approve it. This means the people have the final say.
What Changes
Local Control
Instead of following a one-size-fits-all state structure, residents can create a government that fits their community.
Accountability
A charter can clearly define:
- Responsibilities of elected officials.
- Performance expectations.
- Ethics standards.
- Financial oversight.
- Reporting requirements.
Flexibility
The city can organize departments more efficiently and adapt to changing needs without waiting for changes in state statutes.
Better Checks and Balances
A charter can establish:
- Independent auditing.
- Clear separation of powers.
- Appointment procedures.
- Removal procedures.
- Ethics commissions.
- Citizen review boards.
Financial Responsibility
Many charter cities include:
- Balanced budget requirements.
- Independent annual audits.
- Competitive bidding rules.
- Purchasing policies.
- Debt limitations.
Professional Management
Many charter cities choose to hire a professional city manager who oversees daily operations while elected officials focus on policy. Others retain a mayor-administrator system. The structure is chosen by the community.
Citizen Participation
A charter can provide for:
- Initiative petitions.
- Referendums.
- Recall procedures (where permitted by law).
- Public hearings.
- Citizen advisory boards.
Clear Government Structure
Instead of relying on multiple sections of state law, the charter puts the city’s governing rules in one document that is easier for residents to understand.
What doesn’t change
A charter government does not:
- Leave the State of Ohio.
- Ignore state or federal laws.
- Eliminate taxes.
- Automatically increase taxes.
- Remove constitutional rights.
- End county or state oversight where state law applies.
A charter changes how local government is organized and operates, not the city’s obligations under state and federal law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Charter create more government?
Not necessarily. It often reorganizes existing government and may even reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.
Who writes the charter?
The charter is drafted by an elected charter commission and approved by voters.
Once adopted, it can the charter change?
Charters can be amended through procedures outlined in the charter and state law, with voter approval.
Is a charter government is less accountable?
In many cases, a charter can increase accountability by defining responsibilities, ethics rules, reporting requirements, and oversight mechanisms more clearly than the default statutory form.
Doesn’t a charter give all of the power to a small group of people?
No. It brings more accountability to elected officials with the community more involved and empowered. Referendums can bring about the ability to amend the charter.
How are we going to afford a qualified, professional city manager?
In Kenton currently (without a charter) the city manager (dubbed the Safety/Service Director) is a good paying job to be handed without any vetting or credentials because the mayor appoints the position. Each elected mayor has the power to chose their person for this position. Currently, the system doesn’t allow for long term planning or stability. If we have to pay more for a qualified person, they will at least be vetted and have to show credentials and/or a degree and could be held accountable. Currently the only real power council has is revoking the line item in the budget for their pay.
What is The People’s Project?
The People’s Project is a group of Kenton citizens who want to see Kenton thrive and prosper for everyone. We believe part of Kenton’s future success is creating our own government structure, not the one given to us by the state. Kenton is among a minority of cities in Ohio to not form our own charter. We feel a charter government will be more stable and responsive while potentially removing less efficient or redundant parts.
What am I voting on in November?
The November vote is only for approval to form a charter committee, made up of the people whose names will be on the ballot. It does NOT make any changes to the current government structure. If the vote is passed, the committee has 1 year to draft a government structure. This must be voted on and approved by the people before any changes are made.
Who makes up the Charter Committee?
The Charter Committee is required to made up of 15 citizens of Kenton. Anyone (except current city elected officials) can be on the committee, but they must get 15 signatures to appear on the ballot. The voters get to approve who makes up the committee. There can be more than 15 names on the ballot, but there must be at least 15, and only the 15 highest vote getters will be on the Charter Committee.
What is a “charter city” and how is it different than what we have now?
When a city is formed in Ohio, it can create (charter) its own government structure. If the citizens do not create their own government, they must use the structure in the Ohio’s statutes (become a Statutory city). This is what Kenton has now.
What’s wrong with what we have now?
council all have to run at the same time every two years. We have no term limits. That would encourage more to run a clean slate race and not against an incumbent candidate as well as give more citizens and opportunity to serve. In theory if everyone of the council decided not to run again and no one ran we could end up with no council. This last election we had to replace 2 through the write-in process.
Our auditor and treasure positions only require to be 18 and a registered voter as the qualifications to serve in those rolls. We have a multi million dollar budget for those rolls. I find a lot of people blown away by this fact and they never knew it.
Isn’t this some kind of city power-grab?
No, it is not a power-grab of any kind. The entire process of creating a charter government has accountability to the voters built-in.
A charter structure can give more power to the people through the government they choose to create. The Charter Committee will be made up of Kenton citizens. Current elected city officials CANNOT be part of the Charter Committee. The people of Kenton will have the chance to see and ask questions through the entire process. NO changes are made to the current structure unless the CITIZENS approve it.
What is the process of becoming a charter city?
There are three steps for a city to become a charter city.
- A Charter Committee must be approved by the citizens (this vote in November).
- If approved, this committee has 1 year to draft a new government structure for Kenton.
- That structure is then VOTED on by the PEOPLE for THEIR approval.
This already failed, why are you trying again?
We strongly believe part of why the charter committee initiative failed the first time was a lack of understanding about what the vote meant. We are committed to educating and answering questions to the voters and believe our fellow citizens will choose to allow a committee to be formed to see what type of government we can create for the betterment of Kenton.
Doesn’t hiring positions take away from the people’s right to choose?
The current and previous auditors were appointed by the republican party. There hasn’t been a contested election for municipal auditor since at least 2008. In that same time, the treasurer has only been contested once. In that, the qualifications are rarely questioned. Allowing for the elected leaders to hire and vet someone’s qualifications ensures financial stability and security for the city.