Why is it so easy for the commission to do a charter ammendment- and so hard for us?

 With one quick vote- the Dayton City Commission can add a charter amendment to the ballot, however if John Q Citizen wants to do it- it’s collect 25% of the registered voters- and hope the Commission doesn’t veto it and make you collect yet another 10%.

How about some real changes? Like making the requirements for running for Commission the same as the State requirements- or the County – 50 signatures. Or, abolishing the early primary for commission and Mayor- and making it a run-off? So more voices can be heard? Instead, all we get is bookkeeping changes.

Dayton leaders seek charter amendments – Dayton Business Journal:
The Dayton City Commission wants approval from voters to amend three outdated parts of its charter this November, the city announced Thursday morning.

The proposed changes address processes that have remained since the charter was first adopted in 1913, but have since become antiquated, according to the commission.

The current provisions hinder the cities ability to operate efficiently, Mayor Rhine McLin said.

The changes include:

  • Abolishing the Sinking Fund Board and transferring the functions and powers to the director of finance. Under Ohio state law, the Sinking Fund Board is required to operate until all of a municipality’s bonds issued before January of 1922 have been retired. Since these debts have long been paid off in Dayton, the Sinking Fund Board is no longer relevant in the charter, according to the city.
  • Increasing spending department spending limits. Currently, the Dayton City Commission must approve every departmental purchase of more than $2,500. The commission is proposing an increase in the spending limit from $2,500 to $10,000.
  • Simplifying and updating the annual budget process and procedures. The current version of the 1913 City Charter includes very precise requirements for preparing and submitting an annual budget. Many of those requirements and regulations are not practical for current government operations, according to the announcement.

The three amendments would be listed separately on the Nov. 6 ballot and would go into effect Jan. 1 if approved.

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