CHARTER

   CERTIFICATION TO THE CITIZENS OF THE VILLAGE OF ARCHBOLD, OHIO

   In November, 1995, the voters of Archbold elected a fifteen member Charter Commission to study different forms of government as well as our present form to determine what form of government would best serve our community. Our major objective was to meet both present and future needs of Archbold and provide the electorate an efficient and professional form of government.

   We are privileged, in the State of Ohio, to have “Home Rule” which permits municipalities to secure the maximum of self-government through the adoption of a Charter. Without a Charter, our municipality must operate according to the Municipal Code of the State of Ohio -- as adopted by the state legislature in Columbus. With a Charter, we are not rigidly bound by state law but are free to develop our own variations in the form of our local government to more effectively meet the challenges of a growing community. We are limited only by provisions of the Constitution of Ohio and our own Charter.

   Commission members have met for several months of study and research, and are pleased to submit to you the enclosed Charter which best provides for the present and future interest of Archbold. Listed below is a summary highlighting the primary provisions included in this Charter:

   This Charter will take effect on January 1, 1997.

   This Charter establishes a cooperative; Council, Mayor-Administrator form of government.

   This Charter provides for a six (6) member Council, elected at large, for four (4) year terms.

   This Charter provides for a Mayor to serve as the Executive Head of the municipality, for a four (4) year term.

   This Charter provides for an Administrator to serve at the pleasure of Council.

   This Charter provides for a modern government for a modern municipality.

   This Charter provides for non-partisan elections.

   This Charter provides for the retention of ultimate power of government in the hands of the people.

   We believe the proposed Charter, which is a joint effort of the bipartisan Charter Commission, will provide the citizens of Archbold with an efficient and equitable form of local government. We hope that you will study it carefully, and respectfully submit it for your approval by a “yes” vote on Tuesday, November 5, 1996.

 

MEMBERS OF THE ARCHBOLD CHARTER COMMISSION
Gene Baus	Theodore Lovejoy	Paul Rupp
William Beck	William Lovejoy--Chairperson	Lonnie Short
Grant Bernath	Judith McCormick	Doug Vajen
Charles Dominique	Stephen Rettig	Eugene Winfield
John Grieser	Linda Ross	Fred Witte

 

CHARTER TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section

Preamble

Article I
Name, Boundaries and Function of Government

   1.01   Name

   1.02   Boundaries

   1.03   Form of government

Article II
Incorporation and Powers

   2.01   Incorporation

   2.02   Powers

   2.03   Manner of exercising powers

   2.04   Construction

Article III
Council

   3.01   Composition and terms

   3.02   Quorum

   3.03   Organization

   3.04   President of Council

   3.05   Powers and duties

   3.06   Removal

   3.07   Vacancies

   3.08   Qualifications

   3.09   Rules and journal

   3.10   Clerk of Council

Article IV
Mayor

   4.01   Election and term of office

   4.02   Powers and duties

   4.03   Qualifications

   4.04   Removal

   4.05   Veto

   4.06   Vacancies

Article V
Administrator