The City of Westerville Charter, which acts as the City’s constitution, is reviewed by an appointed commission every 10 years.

Uncertified election results from Nov. 3 are indicating that Westerville voters overwhelmingly approved five changes to the City Charter:

• Notices, Postings
  Remove existing requirements for certain written notices and postings and allow Westerville City Council to determine the appropriate methods of notice and publication. 
  
  Thanks to advances in technology, the City has a number of efficient digital platforms (the City website, Tell Westerville mobile application, weekly e-newsletter, social media, etc.) that provide instant and cost-effective direct channels for communication with the public.
  
  
• Legislative Actions
  Confirm that the common expectation and practice that informal and temporary legislative actions are immediately effective.
  
  
• Council Term Start Date
  Move the start date of Council member’s terms to January 1 and Council’s organizational meeting to the first meeting thereafter.
  
  
• Recall Petition Format, Election Dates
  Revise certain requirements and procedures regarding a recall, including state procedures for petition format and election dates.
  
  
• Personnel Review Board
  Allow Council to appoint members of the Personnel Review Board to additional boards.

About the Charter and Commission

Under the Home Rule Charter, the city government of Westerville is given greater local control and flexibility than the statutory form. Ohio statute governs only on matters which Westerville’s Charter does not address. 

Adopted by the City in 1964, the Charter requires Westerville Council to appoint a Charter Review Commission of "five qualified electors of the Municipality holding no other office, appointment or employment in the government of the Municipality as members" every 10 years.

The Commission shall review the City’s Charter and “recommend to Council such alterations, revisions, and amendments, if any, to this Charter, as in its judgment are desirable.” The Commission will determine its own processes and procedures and will be guided and supported by representatives from the Law Department and Clerk of Council. 

2020 City Charter Approved by Voters in November 3, 2020 Election

2020 Charter Review Commission Members

• Larry Jenkins, Chair
• Lavonne Bailey, Vice Chair 
• Dennis Blair
• John Bokros
• Megan Reamsnyder

Supporting Documents

• Download the Fact Sheet summarizing the proposed amendments
• Read Ordinance No. 2020-11, which authorized sending the proposed amendments for inclusion on the ballot
• Read the full text of the proposed changes
• Read the 2020 Westerville Charter Commission Report (NOTE: At a joint meeting with the Charter Commission, City Council determined to remove Amendment D, and therefore it is not before the voters.)
• Read the existing City Charter (NOTE: Unless identified in the proposed changes, nothing else will change.)
• Read Citizen's Comments
• News Coverage:
  • Westerville charter-review commission sets March comment deadline (ThisWeek News)
  • Westerville charter changes would update city’s ‘constitution’
    

Charter Review Commission Agendas and Minutes