Rules committee advances broad package of proposed Barberton charter amendments to full council

The Rules, Marketing and Development Committee of Barberton City Council on May 27 voted to send a broad package of proposed charter amendments to the full council, advancing changes that would add term limits, alter appointment and staffing rules, move certain duties between departments and remove a residency requirement from the charter.

The committee, chaired by Councilmember Miller, advanced the items in a series of voice votes after an extended review of the draft charter prepared by the Charter Commission. Proposals now headed to all of council include limits on consecutive terms for the mayor and council president, shifting some department appointment authorities, adding stormwater duties to the public-service director, and removing a requirement that certain employees live within the city.

Committee members said the package is intended to modernize the charter and to conform the document to state law in several places. "We're going to work on getting these passed through my committee tonight," Miller said during the meeting as she guided members through each draft change. Committee members repeatedly moved individual items by motion and voice vote and then agreed to forward the set to the full council for discussion and possible amendment.

Key proposals advanced by the committee

- Term limits: The draft would limit the mayor to three consecutive terms beginning with the 2027 general election and would limit the…