There will be a couple of proposed charter changes on the November ballot impacting Akron politics. City council will consider a proposal from the administration that would combine council elections rather than hold at-large elections separately; another issue would limit raises for the Mayor and Council members to averages in the private sector.

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(Mayor Don Plusquellic - news release) Mayor Don Plusquellic and Council President Marco Sommerville will ask council today to authorize the submission to the electors a proposal to amend Akron’s Charter to eliminate the cost of an extra election by holding all Council member elections at the same time, and to limit raises for members of Council and the Mayor. If approved by council, the Charter Amendment will be voted upon at the next regular citywide election on November 6, 2012.

The purpose of the proposed Charter Amendment is to eliminate the need for an extra election for Council members, and the high costs associated with such an election, and to limit the raises afforded to City elected officials.
“We have looked at every possible way to save tax dollars by making City Government more efficient. We saved over $950,000 by combining the Akron Health Department with the Summit County Health Department,” said Mayor Don Plusquellic. “Even though our Akron Health Department was providing excellent service before, we now benefit from the savings while our residents receive the same quality service. The election process is an important part of City government, but with the limited resources we have, we must look at savings in every area. Residents will still vote on their ward and at-large council members, and with everyone being elected at the same time, it will cut costs significantly.”

“Certainly with the costs of elections being as high as they are, we can consolidate the election cycles of the council members to save the taxpayers’ money,” said Council President Marco Sommerville. “In addition, this Charter Amendment would limit raises for the Mayor and Council Members to an amount not to exceed the amount a private industry worker receives, on a calendar year basis. If the people who pay their taxes aren’t getting raises, then the Mayor and Council members in the future should