NEWTON FALLS Charter amendments

Voters in Newton Falls will vote to accept or reject 19 charter amendments that appear on the May 8 primary election ballot:
Eliminate term limitations of the mayor.
Require that the mayor forfeit office if he or she ceases to possess any qualifications for the post or moves out of the city.
Eliminate term limitations for city council members.
Require that city council members be residents of the city in wards they represent.
Give 72-hour notice of special emergency meetings and specify the purpose of the meetings.
Remove the city manager from Article III, Section 2, because that appears in another section.
Declare that the city clerk is not the keeper of all public records because each department is responsible for its own records.
Change Article III, Section 15, to remove the requirement that a line-item budget be passed by ordinance.
Require that the city manager move into the city or within a 5-mile radius within one year after being appointed.
Establish that the city manager can meet with council and city boards and commissioners, and participate in discussions, but cannot vote except where otherwise set forth in the charter.
Establish that city council will appoint a person to perform the duties of the city manager during any temporary absence or disability.
Declare as department heads the law director, finance director, police chief and the designated heads of any other department lawfully established.
Remove from classified service the fire chief, volunteer firefighters and members of the park and recreation board, and add all employees in the municipal court.
Change the name of the planning, zoning and housing commission to "planning and zoning commission" and require members to be electors.
Establish that the park and recreation board be made up of two members of city council, the mayor and two electors named by the city manager with approval of council.
Require the treasury investment board to have quarterly meetings and file a written report to city council.
Require commissions and boards to submit written annual reports with the clerk by Jan. 31.
Allow members of boards and commissions to be removed without cause by a majority vote of city council.
Allow council to authorize a purchase or a contract that exceeds state spending limits or is without bids if council determines it is an emergency.