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