Campbell council OKs 14 charter amendments for November’s ballot

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

CAMPBELL

City council gave final approval to a series of charter amendments to go before voters in November.

Council voted this week to send 14 charter amendments to the Mahoning County Board of Elections to be placed on the general-election ballot.

The Charter Review Commission, tasked with reviewing the city’s governing document, meets once every 10 years. This year, the commission recommended 15 amendments but rescinded one at council’s urging.

The rescinded amendment would have limited council’s ability to reduce or eliminate the fire department without a vote from the electorate.

Though council agreed to let voters decide on the amendments, council members have asked the public to reject some of the proposals.

Councilwoman Juanita Rich, D-4th, objects to an amendment that would restore two councilman-at large positions, arguing it would strain the city’s finances. Council members earn $2,500 a year without benefits.

Rich contended it does not make sense to add two council positions when the city’s population continues to shrink.

Council President George Levendis agreed, saying it is difficult to find enough people to run for current city positions.

In the November 2015 election, the only contested city positions were the mayor, the law director and the 2nd Ward councilman. Nearly 2,500 people voted in the mayoral election.

Rich also criticized a proposed amendment that would extend the mayor’s term of office from two to four years, arguing terms of office should be extended for all elected officials including council members. Rich has said extended terms would allow more time to govern.

Typically, voters choose the commission members. This year, council appointed eight of the nine members because only one person ran for a commission post.