CHARTER COMMISSION

SOUTH LEBANON CHARTER COMMISSION

Click HERE view the City of South Lebanon Charter that was approved on the May 2, 2023, and that goes into effect on July 1, 2023.

The City of South Lebanon

PROPOSED CHARTER Q & A

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: Why are you hearing about a Charter?

A: In October 2021, the former Village of South Lebanon became a City because the 2020 Census determined there are more than 5,000 residents in South Lebanon. As a result, South Lebanon is no longer governed by certain sections of the Ohio Revised Code related to villages. A Charter is one alternative form of municipal government.

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: How is a Charter formed?

A: A Charter is formed when a city’s voters elect 15 citizens to a Charter Commission, who then serve on the Charter Commission to create a Charter. Once fully drafted and approved by the Charter Commission, the proposed Charter is presented to the City Council for a determination as to whether it should be placed on the ballot. The City Council voted on December1, 2022 to place the proposed Charter created by the Charter Commission on the May 2, 2023 ballot.

Q: When does a Charter go into effect?

A: To be clear, the proposed Charter is not yet in effect. The proposed Charter for the City of South Lebanon is on the ballot on May 2, 2023. If a majority of the voters decided to adopt the Charter, then it will go into effect on July 1, 2023.

Q: What happens if the proposed Charter is not adopted?

A: The City of South Lebanon will be governed by default statutory provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, which do not provide the flexibility or specificity that the proposed Charter provides. Please take a look at the Charter Education Guide, available at www.southlebanonohio.org, to see a few of the key differences between the proposed Charter and the default statutory form of municipal government.

Q: If the proposed Charter is approved by voters, how are current City employees impacted?

A: Every employee of the City on July 1, 2023 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 July 1, 2023, will continue holding their office until the expiration of his or her term. For example, at the next election in November 2023, two City Council seats are open. Two people will be elected at large to serve four-year terms. Eventually, as outlined in the Charter, three City Council seats will be up for election every two years.

Q: If the proposed Charter is approved by voters, how is the current Mayor impacted?

A: The Mayor who is in office on July 1, 2023 will continue holding the office of Mayor until the end of his term. Currently, the office of Mayor is on the ballot at the November 2023 election.

Q: If the proposed Charter is approved by voters, will the current organizational structure and day-to-day operation of municipal government be substantially changed?

A: No.

Q: If the proposed Charter is approved by voters, will it significantly change how City Council meetings or other public meetings are conducted?

A: No.

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 provides 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: What is being changed in the proposed Charter?

A: To be clear, South Lebanon does not currently have a Charter. South Lebanon currently operates under certain sections of the Ohio Revised Code. If the proposed Charter is approved by voters, then the Charter will be adopted as go into effect on July 1, 2023.

South Lebanon Charter Commission Members

Bryan Corcoran – Chairperson

Susanne Mason – Vice Chairperson

Clyde Adkins Arthur McFarland

Richard Bertagna William Melzer

Donald Burke Brian Payne

Aubrey Corcoran David Nathan Smith III

David Frasure Angela Vick

Peter Geraci Michael Wells

Ginger Mandelstein

Meeting Agendas