WARREN Councilman advocates new form of government

As a statutory city, most of Warren's issues are determined by Ohio Revised Code.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Saying it would enable the city to downsize where needed and customize the city's government to its needs, a councilman is advocating exploration of a charter form of government.
Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, hopes a meeting of the entire council is held soon to discuss placing the question of forming a charter commission on the ballot.
Mayor Hank Angelo also has advocated a charter form of government, saying it would streamline government.
Warren is a statutory city, meaning the number of council members, other elected officials and their duties are determined by Ohio Revised Code. Charter cities may determine such issues with their own charter. Youngstown is a charter city.
The process first involves a ballot issue, which Novak hopes to get on the November ballot, to form a commission. If formed, that commission would have a year to devise a charter that would be placed before voters for approval.
The members of the commission would be chosen based on who gets the most votes of those who file for the nonpartisan slots.
"The commission meetings would be open public meetings, and they'd hold hearings on it," Novak said.
Other details
Other items that could be addressed include educational qualifications for city auditor and treasurer, which aren't specified in the revised code, reconfiguring council, determining term limits and changing the way police and fire chiefs are appointed, the councilman said. It also could establish if the city is governed by a strong mayor/weak council, a weak mayor/strong council or is city manager-based.
Another advantage Novak sees is easing the ability to downsize city employees through attrition to cope with a decreasing population and shrinking tax base.
August is the deadline for issues on the November ballot, and council typically recesses for that month. Novak has been trying to set a meeting date when a representative from the Ohio Municipal League can attend to answer council members' questions.
"From as many people as I've talked to on council, I think I have six votes" to put the issue on the ballot, Novak said. "It's gone through three readings."
denise.dick@vindy.com