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

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…