[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6080917,"mediaKeyId","2945112-b8f779ecf652efaccd90cdfbebd49c09","parentId",2945112,"title","Residents urge the Charter Review Commission to add ranked-choice voting to the charter; supporters offer resources for outreach","audioSeconds",701,"startMs",2391000,"endMs",3092000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945112-b8f779ecf652efaccd90cdfbebd49c09&start=2391&end=3092","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945112-b8f779ecf652efaccd90cdfbebd49c09/thumbnail_2391000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080917/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Residents-urge-the-Charter-Review-Commission-to-add-ranked-choice-voting-to-the-charter-supporters-offer-resources-for-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080917-48d219100db81cc066a8747d4cbf235e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185783&Signature=KrwEPKvWZ2arEyEP7a7uz7KW7UE5xVVUTUAH7w9DFFfyrcWHaafnkrHCbnQmsMww1SLoo8H2kX-PmZfogojHU7QdubkYn-zqoXJvoB9TUp3XTQt-zS4bYk4CW~YgszrGIaRMjdt0gk6tEXV2d6W2t1JNs4KxVFxRlz5yS9RnZa2FP8DBThawXcwIw4Z7zkJ4Osy8q7cf7~teFU2Yn0UTV3mq-ZwDtSoYSPWjeL0H9f-0TfQ7LcAAugdDJdL7fFXwChXiviAKSP7rCoWWJTP7wXyYw050nwF2Hakz2kRbCVDn6gGnNygyn5IAd3j9ToLDr7yu~tISWaL2ZuCTUgNFGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Stow, OH ","date","2025-04-10T13:43:24.273Z","article","At the public comment portion of the Stow Charter Review Commission meeting two residents urged commissioners to consider adding ranked-choice voting (RCV) to the municipal charter.

Andrew Branch, who identified his address for the record, told the commission the Stow charter’s preamble “pays homage” to the U.S. Constitution and said implementing ranked-choice voting would be an empirically beneficial exercise of municipal home rule. Branch described RCV briefly: voters rank candidates in order of preference and candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated until one candidate has a majority. He cited studies — including a March study by the American Bar Association and a 2024 University of Chicago paper — that, he said, found RCV increased representation, campaign quality, turnout and reduced policy volatility.

Kyle Vernon, who gave his address and said he has supported ranked-choice voting since 2015 and helped found Rank the Vote Ohio, seconded Branch’s remarks and offered to connect the commission with experts and educational resources. Vernon said several Ohio cities have used RCV in the past (he listed Cleveland, Cincinnati, Ashtabula, Hamilton and Toledo) and that community education would be essential before a ballot initiative; he and Branch both offered to assist with outreach and to bring subject-matter experts to future meetings.

Commissioners asked questions about where RCV is used nationally and in Ohio, how instant-runoff tabulation works in races with multiple candidates, and whether a city charter amendment would apply only to city elections (it would). Speakers noted statewide examples (Maine and Alaska were cited for statewide use) and said local voting equipment can be configured to handle ranked ballots. The speakers emphasized public education and outreach would be necessary for success if the commission decides to pursue a charter amendment and placement on a local ballot.

Commissioners discussed logistics for later agenda items (article 16 on elections will be considered at a future meeting) and several commissioners asked the public-commenters for help with community education. Branch and Vernon offered contacts and suggested the commission could hold a public town-hall session on RCV; commissioners expressed interest in seeing draft charter language and operational options before deciding.

No formal commission action was taken on RCV at this meeting; commissioners noted the topic will be considered later when the commission addresses the charter sections on nominations and elections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Stow- Charter Review Commission - April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents — Andrew Branch and Kyle Vernon — urged the commission to consider a charter amendment implementing ranked-choice voting (RCV) for Stow municipal elections, citing research and offering outreach and expert connections.","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},6080922,"Charter Review Commission reviews Civil Service, parks and cemetery boards, finance rules and franchise authority",1436,652000,2088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945112-b8f779ecf652efaccd90cdfbebd49c09&start=652&end=2088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945112-b8f779ecf652efaccd90cdfbebd49c09/thumbnail_652000.jpg","/articles/6080922/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Charter-Review-Commission-reviews-Civil-Service-parks-and-cemetery-boards-finance-rules-and-franchise-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080922-727d7a9eba64d4dc0dd9a343b29a210c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185783&Signature=KN8DgOINMnbWs-ybOZPCi4DlibuuA51A7vG6biHD6I3Gz0yzipQe8xjzPe-4-FQpnI5otkg665yo3PWKVBlKyi4jhnUKcSdJFsm7HB~RAv33eGwTH-X6x~ytJcpxMAd1f5Y3utTZMae6ljHaavTKs9eKfE2HdTxcR33QpTgV0r9Md6vigFS5VaPwVTg3qPKV839s4TtMlKnKzEoBmrWxN7vy64udaH6B9IjzoAfEhrTMAX~0OrQ8ycuocr9MvYpadmliCfvvto2pTy6H-cKzy~p--lVCtsF~pnSrePmymWm3skenZjzcOkthVXNXlSrgWWe4nFe~uuJAwpbNaPNXFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stow City Charter Review Commission held a broad review of several charter sections, discussing the roles and appointment processes for the Civil Service Commission, the Parks and Recreation Board and the Cemetery Board, and reviewing key finance provisions including millage limits, income tax rules and a local taxpayer bill of rights. Commissioners also reviewed the charter’s franchise provision for public utilities.

A city staff presenter explained the Civil Service Commission’s role: it establishes rules for classified (civil service) positions, certifies candidate lists for hiring and approves testing vendors and schedules. The presenter reminded commissioners that absent local charter language a provision reverts to state law (the Ohio Revised Code) and that any changes that differ from state law require additional review and approval by civil service and council.

On parks and recreation, commissioners discussed that the parks director is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by council; the parks and recreation board has five members (four mayoral appointees from each ward, plus one school-board-appointed member), elects its own chair and advises on parks policy and capital planning. The presenter emphasized that spending remains subject to council financial appropriations: the board recommends policy and capital priorities but council controls final appropriations.

Commissioners discussed the cemetery board’s mission and composition: three municipal appointees (not holding other municipal office), appointed by the mayor and confirmed by council. The board advises on cemetery policy and fees; if the city considers opening a new cemetery or adjusting lot fees the board would make recommendations before council action.

On finance, the commission reviewed the charter’s millage limit (a stated maximum of 7.2 mills with an additional 2.3 mills restricted for EMS and fire protection added in a recent amendment). The presenter noted that the 2.3-mill increase was adopted to help fund a third fire station and related staffing. The charter also requires dual signatories on city checks (finance director and mayor, or mayoral alternative), and contains a “STOW taxpayer bill of rights” provision that requires voter approval to increase the city’s income tax rate.

The franchise section was reviewed as largely unchanged; staff recommended against altering it because granting franchises affects long-term utility rights in public rights-of-way. Staff explained typical renewal practice (renewals every 25 years or sooner) and said utilities generally initiate renewals because of the operational consequences of an expired franchise.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about civil service rules, who appoints parks board members, term continuations when vacancies occur, and the practical effect of the millage provisions on hiring and staffing for fire services. Staff and commissioners noted that many details are codified in city regulations and that changes to charter language interact with state law and council action.

None of these charter sections were forwarded to council for immediate action at this meeting; the conversation was informational and intended to guide future drafting decisions.

","Commissioners discussed multiple charter sections — Civil Service Commission, Parks & Recreation Board, Cemetery Board, finance/tax provisions and franchise authority — reviewing how those provisions operate and when state law applies.",{"_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},6080928,"Charter Review Commission adds temporary-succession language for finance and law directors and forwards amended sections to council",78,86000,164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945112-b8f779ecf652efaccd90cdfbebd49c09&start=86&end=164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945112-b8f779ecf652efaccd90cdfbebd49c09/thumbnail_86000.jpg","/articles/6080928/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Charter-Review-Commission-adds-temporary-succession-language-for-finance-and-law-directors-and-forwards-amended-sections-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080928-253e0fddcb856631232ace11836a1f6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185783&Signature=M-lcU4tc3OsP-JvZRIyctbnCu4aJhxhw9IfG4u4tu~k9wjeovgtha4ypV6EFbjF57LP26Jk32KGnA3txnzt4gFTsmE35634XCYms2HQMUoIhjfhKHCrLMqCZh8VM7Qf5tUdjUoTG6OP~MOdvawECiM1ENIJNewNS6qTZtCVRIoJmQMoNw0UMTGkPogVFn3PSftM6M6IENFTzvPwW2X3j9Z1nmaDHiytY8rhm81BbGYVNF7uKHXRC8zE0UvfcdLvG1AQfKpmqvnLBVWit9A2e71adwNIhHK6AbWf9wfmxg7rE7pblenhMArWPPIdXvsDrwBCtVzgHwBb-WNfw~cwEcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stow City Charter Review Commission approved language clarifying temporary succession for the finance director and the law director and voted to forward the amended charter sections to City Council for consideration at the April 24 meeting.

The commission inserted a sentence into the acting finance director provision specifying that “in the event that the assistant director of the general division is vacant at the time that the finance director is temporarily unable to perform their duties pursuant to this section, the mayor shall appoint an acting finance director from within the finance department until such time as the finance director is able to resume the performance of their duties.” A staff presenter explained the language is intended to ensure continuity of operations and to limit the mayor’s appointment to personnel who already work for the city’s finance department.

Commission members also added parallel language for the law director: if the deputy law director post is vacant when the law director becomes temporarily unable to perform duties, the mayor would appoint an acting law director from within the law department until the law director can resume duties.

During the meeting commissioners corrected a typographical error in the draft title (changing “Article 20” to “Article 6”) and approved separate motions to (a) amend the title and (b) submit the revised Article 6 (version 2) and Article 9 to council. The commission chair said the items will be presented to council at its April 24 meeting; the chair also said Council President Feldman plans to place the commission’s proposed charter amendments on that agenda after a committee presentation.

Motions and votes recorded at the meeting included approval of the March minutes; a motion and second to amend the title to “Article 6” (passed by voice vote); and motions to submit Article 6 (version 2) and Article 9 to council (each approved by voice vote). The meeting record shows unanimous “Aye” responses when the commission voted on these items.

What the commission did not decide at this meeting was final adoption by the council. The amendments will next be considered by City Council, which may hold public hearings, request revisions or refer items back to the commission. The commission’s role in this step is advisory: it drafts and forwards proposed charter language for council and, ultimately, voter consideration.

The staff presenter who described the new sentences said the changes are intended only for temporary incapacity (for example, medical leave or inaccessibility) and not to replace the permanent officeholder. The commission asked and received clarification that separate motions were required for each amended section and that the submissions would appear on the council agenda as described.

The meeting record shows the amended items will be formally presented to council on April 24. No final charter change was adopted at the commission level; any enactment would require council action and, in some cases, voter approval per the charter and Ohio law.","The Stow Charter Review Commission approved added language clarifying temporary appointments if the finance director or law director is temporarily unable to perform duties, corrected an internal title, and voted to submit the amended sections to City Council for review on April 24.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge the Charter Review Commission to add ranked-choice voting to the charter; supporters offer resources for outreach

Charter Review Commission reviews Civil Service, parks and cemetery boards, finance rules and franchise authority

Charter Review Commission adds temporary-succession language for finance and law directors and forwards amended sections to council