[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6106395,"mediaKeyId","2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9","parentId",2781291,"title","Charter review flags gaps in finance director rules; commission asks staff to draft incapacity language","audioSeconds",1513,"startMs",561000,"endMs",2074000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9&start=561&end=2074","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9/thumbnail_561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106395/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Charter-review-flags-gaps-in-finance-director-rules-commission-asks-staff-to-draft-incapacity-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106395-dfd5a4303f837ba7a92bad8e39135eeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200563&Signature=kDESlGDpchX~1oANpa8yPo-M09o40Uw6DeOpo5bJY2j-NI-FhB9aymtH5QjQyV0ShbF3--iVphSyzGihSR9QLRQ80PKgBE0vSNY3fJLQNTN-H1RH1ZoZJkQZMvs1NW0P6sMYkKp2qXBLixrXV5vbY-dsAsZp8svK7zLU0cQt569zO23A9R7DEzltDmcKbF2WUQsf9TZLvIrO9OURzKonSE5q84890Wylpyz15T4n~Ddsq9xiya6gWie6WccaUmj~vMrCqHxLWyg2iJNoyGm69W693TT9pP0N21VmVLJU9gBn0v-HSy5gjbsMriiDK9GPVSiSM-M8E-N5cOO5Fu7KMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Stow, OH ","date","2025-03-26T12:19:43Z","article","The Charter Review Commission reviewed the Stow City Charter provisions that govern the director of finance and identified drafting gaps the commission said should be fixed before recommendations go to city council.

Commission members focused on three practical issues: the director's formal qualifications; the certificate-of-available-funds role in contract approvals; and an absence of clear rules for an acting finance director during temporary incapacity.

Commission discussion and staff explanation

Staff reviewed Section 6.01 through 6.08, noting that the charter currently requires the finance director to be a qualified elector who holds a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics or public administration and at least five years' management experience in accounting or finance. The director must devote full time to the office, though \"full time\" is not defined in the charter. The director examines municipal accounts, prepares the annual budget and signs the certificate of available funds that appears on city contracts.

Commissioners asked how those duties interact with the mayor's responsibility to submit the proposed operating and capital budget; staff replied the mayor prepares the budget, the finance director advises on affordability and the council has authority to alter appropriations. The finance director's certification is an internal check that an appropriation exists before a contract is signed; staff noted council may still approve borrowing or other actions to fund a project.

Vacancy, appointments and incapacity

The charter gives the mayor up to 75 days to appoint a temporary replacement when the office becomes vacant; an appointee serves until the next municipal election unless the vacancy occurs within a narrow window before the filing-deadline, in which case the appointee may serve the remainder of the term. The commission discussed the charter's residency-waiver practice: council may confirm an appointee even if the residency requirement is not yet met for the remainder of the term.

Commissioners and staff pointed out a drafting gap: a clause giving the assistant or deputy immediate acting power appears in the vacancy section and therefore applies only after a vacancy (death, resignation, recall or removal). There is no analogous, explicit provision for temporary incapacity (medical leave, temporary unavailability). The commission heard that earlier this year the city relied on a signed memo delegating signatory authority while the finance director recovered from a medical condition, but that memo did not make the designee the acting finance director for purposes that require an official title.

Operational detail: assistant director position

Staff also noted the assistant director-general position is currently not filled and was removed from the payroll table when the prior post-holder retired. The result is a potential \"no person in the line\" situation: if the assistant position remains vacant and the director becomes incapacitated, the charter as drafted would not automatically vest acting authority in a named successor. The finance director has proposed restoring the assistant position to the payroll table.

Commission direction

Commissioners asked staff to draft concise charter language mirroring the mayor's acting-mayor provisions to cover temporary incapacity for the finance director (and a parallel change for the law director). Commissioners emphasized any draft should be simple and narrowly tailored to preserve the policy choices already in the charter (vacancy timelines, residency waivers and confirmation by council). No formal vote was taken; the commission expects to review a draft amendment at a future meeting.

Ending

The commission moved on after staff said it would prepare a brief draft describing (1) an explicit temporary-incapacity trigger for acting authority, (2) language restoring or clarifying the assistant director-general position, and (3) cross-references showing that the assistant's acting authority applies both on vacancy and on temporary incapacity.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Of Stow Charter Review Commission 3/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Charter Review Commission reviewed Section 6 (Department of Finance) and identified drafting gaps in qualifications, contract certification and succession for temporary incapacity.","taxTitle","Stow City, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",55000,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106381,"Charter commission shares ward voter breakdown, plans town hall and to recommend council review",4327,67000,4394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9&start=67&end=4394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9/thumbnail_67000.jpg","/articles/6106381/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Charter-commission-shares-ward-voter-breakdown-plans-town-hall-and-to-recommend-council-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106381-e668b1cc15c3b0e2093ce6e70a96f3c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200564&Signature=HjXz7gqGnUN8fBO5g5ytdgMm7nJfnOIjtPhfn9fy8ac2wS5PbKv~iG6EOzeArgend7kHmR4x1niUaqOm85Sj3b3ZHc8Hdy68-LbhzeDTLit2OPRFcFNuBgConEOm8Pxj1TSSvF526mHT~yhInmVjM9NruBZqF9ZD7rNoqiI0FquHfvL8PGq6TeaBDFEKo1aHClY0O5vuK9D8DTL8pbDKnWziEB6Aa5b-4W6p-Yvo4wriNUUY7PGauMgd9pZ8ntWJ6Q~V~vXXjhBtFfIYnc~~Cw~ivNXgeSkm6PbWMDILjVH-lM~AfE0MM~O2hoEO8ZPnlec9fUltgUf26wipNDJPhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter Review Commission reviewed basic ward-level voter data and finalized plans for an upcoming town hall intended to solicit public feedback on proposed charter changes.

Ward data presented

A staff member presented registered-voter counts by ward to give the commission context for potential proposals affecting ward structure. The data presented were: Ward 1, 6,345 registered voters; Ward 2, 6,751; Ward 3, 5,463; Ward 4, 6,794. Staff computed those totals as percentages of the city's registered voters: Ward 1 = 25.03%; Ward 2 = 26.63%; Ward 3 = 21.55%; Ward 4 = 26.80%. Staff said population counts by ward were not available in the materials and a deeper dive would be required to compute population differences.

Town hall planning and public outreach

Commissioners agreed to hold a town hall (noted in the meeting as scheduled for April 1) to present draft changes and collect public feedback. Staff will prepare plain-language slides that show (1) what the commission has drafted, (2) what is still under discussion, and (3) which items staff are requesting language for (for example, the proposed incapacity language for finance and law directors). The commission discussed logistics including limiting public comments (three-minute suggestion) and providing the public with the draft text changes in a readable format prior to the meeting.

Wards review and data request

Commission members asked planning staff to provide an analysis that would help the commission evaluate ward boundaries and composition, specifically a business-vs-residential breakdown by ward. Commissioners said residents and business leaders have told them neighboring jurisdictions often have more wards and that a review by council could be warranted; the commission agreed that it would recommend council review the ward structure if the town-hall feedback supported it.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes: Approved by voice vote at the start of the meeting; transcript records commissioners saying \"Aye\" and no recorded opposition or abstention. (Mover/second not specified in transcript.)

- Motion to adjourn: Approved by voice vote at the end of the meeting. (Mover/second not specified in transcript.)

Ending

The commission asked staff to circulate slide materials before the town hall, to request a planning-department breakdown of business vs. residential properties by ward, and to prepare concise language for any items the commission wants to send to council for review after the town hall.
","Commission staff provided a ward-by-ward breakdown of registered voters and commissioners agreed to present recommendations to city council after a town hall. Commissioners asked staff for plain-language slides, a business-vs-residential ward breakdown from planning, and asked that draft items be sent to council for review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106388,"Commission reviews law director office, succession and rules for hiring outside counsel",560,3110000,3670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9&start=3110&end=3670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9/thumbnail_3110000.jpg","/articles/6106388/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Commission-reviews-law-director-office-succession-and-rules-for-hiring-outside-counsel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106388-d68a480f4e666b344006cbf83d2b6520/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200564&Signature=hLhjwb68Vz4IwAk6Da2ElyKtLc0Xx-OI1zLdC5QlL~Vr7VvrxOwzwTETzZUe-rWo~RFfMuzglJYPUAAWHCPRe1s0CnaVsAN-r0S-Ua8d04pI6o0O8v9ycAi079cSkJZFfc4UFdLpodDiB6CHF6BFQn12s4tRPrAv1p-I-Yu4c6vf-4YYce7hLws7zrqDY4l9xOnBo-0gaI6gQGbtmgYbnL6mFXvdIYOHLuhl1gOTW-XfaQiEWHwff6rH5KoCEG-6kNEFgd0TiPBpTnx8NtF74SxjHQPoBnedB1CZBcN-168AqtIteSNdloQ5YRRVC~lsYPN6MqYHSTXb0Mhn91t~NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners reviewed Article 9 provisions governing the law director's office and the city's limits on retaining outside counsel.

Office, election and duties

Staff explained the law director has been an elected position since 1991 and serves a four-year term. The charter requires the law director to be an attorney admitted to practice in the state and to devote full time to municipal duties; an elected law director cannot simultaneously hold another elected office. The law director serves as legal advisor to the municipality and provides written legal opinions for city boards, commissions and staff.

Succession and acting status

The commission heard a recent, real-world example: when the previous law director resigned in January, the deputy immediately became acting law director; the mayor appointed the new law director on Jan. 18 and council confirmed the appointment a week later. Commissioners emphasized that the charter's deputy-to-acting sequence is established and worked in practice, but they also asked staff to consider the same temporary-incapacity language discussed for the finance director so the rule is explicit in both offices.

Outside counsel

The commission reviewed the charter requirement that outside counsel be retained only by council resolution specifying the attorney or firm and the scope of representation. Staff noted insurance-provided defense counsel is a standard exception (insurer-appointed attorneys represent the city under the insurance policy). The law director explained the policy rationale: controlling and documenting outside legal representation protects city interests and ensures consistent official legal advice.

Ending

No formal recommendation was made. The commission asked staff to prepare a short, clear summary of the succession language and to align any proposed incapacity wording for the finance and law offices before drafting charter amendment language for council consideration.
","The commission reviewed Article 9 clauses establishing the law director as an elected, four-year office, described the succession sequence when the office is vacant or the deputy becomes acting, and reviewed the charter rule that outside legal counsel must be retained by council resolution with scope specified.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106390,"Charter's dispatch provision draws debate after city joined regional SARCOG center",1715,2636000,4351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9&start=2636&end=4351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781291-0c617450661bcb492a4dd626ba3ae6e9/thumbnail_2636000.jpg","/articles/6106390/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Charters-dispatch-provision-draws-debate-after-city-joined-regional-SARCOG-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106390-c6f20540bc71d4a7e356357af419195f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200564&Signature=eFPtUy~Z1xcR92emUNqRdw8TMnesHq505wXukzFtTnuO3zKQ5Jx-mR5aNQsr8w4jFAd3okNrGc3M~SymlVgMdOSCb7rvGqiE5AWJyWinbs0~PvVAGB4E9kSmkCzbzE0elA2miwbJwF8LwPBYnCRudWT8EsGds9f1j6Nw9SU1rF0lxenJ2-LrhrAjSN6b1z6jM1cGAlJ8LN6QjP5Ymipg5KRnFcw1tBV19fnCSTbLrqn3xOpTGVu2lMB157MsLPtHkoSLixoFF0uPO6se5TdgM5EkjTqmE4fYMyG7jhEzvvCFRpNYb6Z00HdpfwLWhHS7RtCIMw6YeEUut95rf7JX5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter Review Commission spent substantial time on Article 8 (Public Safety), focusing on a charter clause that requires voter approval before the city may enter into certain contracting arrangements for dispatch services.

Why it matters

The city now participates in a regional dispatch council (referred to in the meeting as SARCOG) that consolidates emergency-dispatch services with neighboring jurisdictions. Commissioners said the consolidation began after state funding and efficiency concerns pushed smaller jurisdictions to band together; the commission heard that the county's dispatch model and a renovated regional facility now host multiple partner communities.

Debate: repeal vs. preservation

Commission staff explained that a 2020 charter commission had proposed repealing Section 8.05; the current commission considered the consequences of repeal. Proponents of keeping the provision argued it preserves a voter check on where the public's 911 calls are routed and prevents the administration from altering dispatch arrangements without explicit voter consent. Staff and some commissioners said repealing the provision would permit the city to contract with another provider (for example, Akron) without a citywide vote; retaining the provision requires voter approval before entering such a contract or before withdrawing from the regional arrangement.

Operational background

Staff described the regional council-of-governments structure: member communities share governance of the dispatch center, which hosts multiple dispatch operations and offers economies of scale. The commission heard that the former city dispatch center closed when SARCOG began operations and that the regional facility now serves several jurisdictions and also rents capacity to others.

Commission direction

Commissioners did not adopt a formal recommendation at this meeting. Some members said the voters should have a say because dispatch is core to public safety; others indicated they wanted to review the 2020 commission's rationale and the minutes of past council action before deciding whether to propose repeal or revision. Staff said it would pull the earlier minutes for context and that the commission would discuss the matter further at a future meeting.

Ending

The commission agreed to leave the existing provision on the meeting agenda for future debate and to review past meeting minutes and legal context before any recommendation to council.
","Commissionors discussed Section 8.05 of the charter, which requires voter approval before the city may enter into contracting arrangements for dispatch services. Members reviewed the history of the regional SARCOG dispatch consolidation and debated whether to recommend repeal or preserve the voter-approval check.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charter review flags gaps in finance director rules; commission asks staff to draft incapacity language

Charter commission shares ward voter breakdown, plans town hall and to recommend council review

Commission reviews law director office, succession and rules for hiring outside counsel

Charter's dispatch provision draws debate after city joined regional SARCOG center