The City of Parkersburg has operated for the past forty years under the commission form of City government. In that time, the inherent weaknesses of this form have become apparent. These weaknesses include the placing of both legislative authority and administrative authority in the same hands namely in the elected commission. The commission plan offers no opportunity for sound budgeting practices; there is no practical way to coordinate a planned expenditure program among five independent administrative authorities. There is no single responsible executive in the commission plan; this makes impossible a unified public policy, as well as a known and effective responsibility.
After due consideration of the plans of city government available under the Home Rule Statute (city manager, strong mayor, mayor council, commission,) the Charter Board proposes that the new Charter for the City of Parkersburg be based on the strong mayor plan.
The Mayor shall be elected at large under the general election laws of the State. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the City with supervision over all executive and administrative work of the City and shall appoint all City officers and employees. He shall have the authority and responsibility to carry out the duties vested in him by this Charter, ordinance of Council or general law in the best interests of the citizens of this City.
The Council shall have all the legislative powers of the City vested in it. The Council shall consist of nine members elected from nine Municipal election districts on a partisan basis. The Council will meet at least twice a month and will be responsible for providing by ordinance the rules and procedures under which the Mayor is to administer the City government.
All appointments and promotions in the administrative service of the City are to be made according to merit and fitness. Persons holding any office or employed under the present government will be retained under the new Charter.
The new Charter provides for departments of Public Works, Finance, Purchasing, Fire and Police; other departments may be established by Council.
The primary election for the first Mayor and Council under this Charter will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 1970; and the first general election will be held Tuesday, July 28,1970. The Mayor and Council so elected will take office August 17, 1970, and hold office until their successors are elected and qualified on or after December 31, 1973.
The Mayor and Council will be elected every four years. The primary will be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in October in the year 1973 and every fourth year thereafter. The general election will be held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the year 1973 and every fourth year thereafter. The officers of each new administration will take office on the first Monday in January after their election.
This Charter has been completed after long and searching deliberations by the members of the Charter Board. It is the feeling of the Board that it will provide a practical and workable framework for the government of the City of Parkersburg, and the Charter Board unanimously recommends its adoption by the citizens of Parkersburg.