Issue 22: City of Xenia charter amendments

The question, as printed on the ballot

Shall the proposed amendments to the Xenia City Charter be adopted? Section 4.01(G)(2). Allow Council to approve sale of City-owned property by resolution but require a public hearing on such resolution. Section 4.05(A). Remove Council’s ability to raise Council salaries; beginning January 1, 2027, make Council’s monthly salary equal to the minimum earnable salary required under Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) to earn a monthly service credit and adjust salaries automatically as of January 1st of each year only if the OPERS required minimum earnable salary has increased. Section 5.01(B). Delete subdivision (7) to match amendment to Section 4.01(G)(2). Section 9.04(C)(3). Correct the typo in this subdivision by replacing “administrative motion” with “procedural motion.” ARTICLE XI. Further clarify that City elections are to remain nonpartisan, without primaries; clarify nominating petition requirements based on state law; keep number of required signatures for a nominating petition at 75; clarify that the candidate for office that receives the highest number of votes shall be declared elected; clarify that the eligibility of a candidate for Council or Mayor shall be determined at the time of filing of the candidate’s nominating petition; prohibit a City employee from remaining in the City’s employ when the employee runs for City office; add language assuring that a process is provided whereby the City electorate may recall a member of Council, including the Mayor (in light of the Ohio Supreme Court’s holding in Maumee v. Lucas County Board of Elections). ARTICLE XII. As the City is no longer allowed to regulate utilities per state law, remove utility regulation and franchise language; replace with a process for initiative and referendum petitions to be filed by the City electorate; add language creating a process whereby City Council may refer ordinances/legislative matters directly to the City’s voters for decision. Section 13.01. Amend the language in division (A)(1) to match federal and state law; amend the language in division (B) to provide an actual enforcement mechanism for a violation of division (A)(1) – (A)(5).