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Residents urge council not to spend tax dollars to fight charter amendment on TIF approvals
Summary
Council discussed a potential legal challenge to a citizen‑passed charter amendment that would require voter approval for TIFs; councilors and residents debated whether the city should use public funds to challenge the amendment and legal counsel described possible grounds under state code.
Council members and members of the public debated whether the city should use taxpayer money to mount a legal challenge to a recently passed charter amendment that would require voter approval before some TIF (tax increment financing) decisions.
The law director’s representative described a possible claim under Ohio Revised Code related to an "abuse of corporate powers" and said litigation options exist; several councilors said they needed more legal analysis. One council member noted the city was compelled by law to send an initiative petition to the board of elections, creating an awkward sequence that could be clarified in a future charter review.
Multiple audience members urged restraint. "I believe we shouldn't use our tax dollars to fight against the will of the people," said Jean Anderson during public comment, arguing the amendment was vetted by the county board of elections and that citizens should not have to defend the initiative with city funds.
Council did not take a final vote to expend funds in the meeting. Instead, members discussed options including leaving potential challenges to private parties (for example a developer) and adding clarifying language to a future charter review so the same procedural inconsistency does not recur.
Next steps: Council asked staff to study the legal options and to consider charter language changes during the next charter review cycle; no appropriation to pursue litigation was approved at this meeting.
