Minerva Park Charter Commission Forms of Government

Introduction Overview Forms of Government Things to Consider Questions Description Org Chart Pros/Cons Things to Consider Questions

Overview Research Ohio Municipal League Bricker & Eckler Newspaper articles, editorials and internet Existing Ohio Charters City Org Charts Special thanks to Sunbury Charter Commission, for sharing of their research

Forms of Local Government Statutory Commission Form Mayor-Council Form (Strong Executive Powers) Mayor-Council Form (Weak Executive Powers) Council-Manager Mayor-Council-Administrator Clarify “Strong/Weak” does not refer to the person, so much as the level of power afforded to the office of Excutive

Statutory Form This is the form of government currently in effect in Minerva Park. The voters elect the Mayor and Council members. The executive and legislative authority within the municipality is shared and divided as defined by State Law, ordinance, and Council rules.

Commission Form of Government The voters elect the Commissioners usually five to seven members (At-Large). The Mayor/Chair is elected by the Commissioners usually from amongst themselves. As a group the Commissioners constitute the legislative body of the city responsible for taxation, ordinances, and other general functions. Individually, each Commissioner is in charge of a specific aspect of municipal affairs (public works or public safety). The Commission form of government blends legislative and executive functions in the same body. No municipalities in Ohio use this form of government. This form is more common with counties and townships.

Commission Form of Government Voters Commissioner 1 Mayor (Public Safety) Police Fire Commissioner 2 (Public Works) Streets Engineering Commissioner 3 (Legal/Finance) Legal Advisor Finance Department Commissioner 4 (Parks & Recs) Parks Recs Commissioner 5 (Planning) Zoning Building Department Note: This is just an example of an org chart for this form of government

Commission Form of Government Pros It is expected that the Commissioners be knowledgeable about a specific area of city government for which they will be responsible for running, responsible for their department. Reduced the likelihood of people getting a job in city government because of whom they knew, as opposed to being based on their qualifications. A city commission is a simple organizational structure since voters know who is responsible for department or service. This form of government provides swift direct implementation of policy. Cons There is no central authority, no one person who is fully in charge of the city government. There is no separation of power the Commissioners are both legislators and executives.

Mayor-Council Form (Strong Executive Powers) The voters elect the Mayor and Council members (At-Large or by Ward/Precinct or both). Mayor is chief executive Council is legislative body. The Mayor has the following responsibilities: May appoint and remove departmental heads. Drafts and proposes a budget to Village Council. Possesses veto power. Exercises oversight of the village’s day-to-day operations. Implements village laws and ordinances. Is not a member of Village Council. City of Columbus, Gahanna, Grandview Heights and Reynoldsburg. Grove City has Strong Executive Powers form combined with an administrator.

Mayor-Council Form (Strong Executive Powers) Voters Mayor Village Departments Service Director/ Administrator Village Council Note: This is just an example of an org chart for this form of government

Mayor-Council Form (Strong Executive Powers) Pros Common form of government. Mayor more visible to public. Mayor directly accountable to voters. Mayor can enact changes more quickly. Mayor can serve as a check and balance to Council. Cons Can allow for a partisan form of government. Limited candidate pool. No experience qualifications. Election changes can greatly impact to local government.

Mayor-Council Form (Weak Executive Powers) The voters elect the Mayor and Council members (At-Large or by Ward/Precinct or both). The executive authority of the Mayor is less and more power is shared with the Council. Sometimes it is referred to as a split executive form of government. The Council and Mayor divide the responsibilities as followed: Council appoints and approves departmental heads. Council drafts a budget. Mayor possesses limited or no veto power. Mayor shares oversight of the municipality’s day-to-day operations with Council. Mayor works together with Council to implement laws and ordinances. Mayor may be a member of Council or the presiding officer of Council. The general statutory plan for Ohio municipalities is best categorized as the Weak Executive Powers form.

Mayor-Council Form (Weak Executive Powers) Voters Council Village Departments Service Director/ Administrator Mayor Note: This is just an example of an org chart for this form of government

Mayor-Council Form (Weak Executive Powers) Pros Often seen in small municipalities. Cons Lends to a part time Mayor position more of a ceremonial position. The Council is powerful, with both legislative and executive authority. The Mayor is not truly the chief executive, and only has limited power.

Council-Manager Form of Government The voters elect the council members five to seven members (At-Large or by Ward/Precinct or both). The Mayor is selected from and can be a voting member of Council. An elected Council serves as the city's primary legislative body and appoints a Manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations, to draft a budget, and to implement and enforce the council's policy and legislative initiatives. The Manager typically has a Public Administration degree (ie: professional), is interviewed, hired and works at the discretion of the Council. Length of service usually determined by contract.

Council-Manager Form of Government Legal Council, Clerk and Financial Director are often hired and work for Council through the Manager. The Manager, Council and Mayor work together to enact budgets, to draft and enforce legislation. The Manager oversees all municipal departments (ie., Police, Fire, Maintenance, Planning, and personnel). New Albany, Dublin, Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Worthington, etc. It is the most common form for municipalities in our area.

Council-Manager Form of Government Voters Council (Mayor) Manager Department Heads Note: This is just an example of an org chart for this form of government

Council-Manager Form of Government Pros Common form of government. Larger candidate pool for Manager. Allows for Mayor and Council to spend more time and focus on being policy makers. Administration management is not tied to the election cycle. The Manager is typically a professional in this field.

Council-Manager Form of Government Cons Council can no longer give direction to municipal staff. This could be considered a violation of Ohio Ethics Laws. Concerns that the Manager will be an outsider who doesn’t know the community or local politics. Potential increased village costs. The Manager is not directly answerable to the voters, the Manager would answer to the Council. There is no separation of power; the Council is both legislators and executives.

Mayor-Council-Administrator Form of Government The voters elect the Mayor and council members (At-Large or by Ward/Precinct or both). The Administrator is hired by the Mayor with Council’s approval. In a Mayor-Council-Administrator form of government, the Mayor, Council and Administrator work together to balance and pass a budget, draft and enforce legislation and oversee village departments and appoint departmental heads. Village of Sunbury and Obetz are examples of this form of government.

Mayor-Council-Administrator Form of Government Voters Police Engineer Administrator Streets Administrative Staff Solicitor Fiscal Officer/Clerk Mayor Council Note: This is just an example of an org chart for this form of government

Mayor-Council-Administrator Form of Government Pros Provides a separation of power as well as checks and balances. In general very similar to the Council-Manager form of government. Cons Ambiguous chain of command.

Things to Consider/Final Advice Focus on general structure; don’t get into the weeds. Select a form of government with a good separation of power. Learn from other municipalities. We will always have opportunity to amend the Charter after it has been adopted.

Questions?