FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joan M. Williams, Council Chief of Staff
Email: jwilliams@akronohio.gov
Phone: 330-375-2258
Akron City Council Leadership Opposes a Hurried Piecemeal Approach to the City Charter Amendment Process
Akron, Ohio, August 9, 2024 – Akron City Council Leadership – Council President Margo Sommerville, Vice-President Jeff Fusco and Pro-Tem Brad McKitrick oppose the piecemeal approach to Charter Reform being proposed by Mayor Mailk’s ballot initiative.
On July 29, the Akron City Council rejected the ordinance proposing to amend City Charter Sections 68, 70, 105, and 106, to permit the consideration and hiring of both internal and external candidates for the positions of Police Chief, Fire Chief, and their respective Deputy Chief positions, to provide authority for the City to consider a broad and diverse candidate pool for key leadership positions with the Akron Police and Fire Departments; designating the positions of Police Chief and Fire Chief as members of the unclassified civil service; clarifying that whenever practicable, vacancies in the classified civil service shall be filled by promotion, to be voted upon at the next regularly scheduled general municipal election to be held on November 5, 2024.
The vote was 7 for and 4 against. After several weeks of vetting and discussion, the City Council concluded that placing this on the ballot was not in the best interest of the taxpayers at this time.
Statement from President Margo Sommerville
"If we're serious about amending our City Charter, let's take some time to do it comprehensively. Let's expand our committee — less of us elected officials and more community members— so that in November 2025, we can really present something to the community that's going to bring about real change, not something that's going to give false hope, not something that's going to be oversold and we can't deliver on," Sommerville said. “This proposed charter amendment initiative is like knowing you have a car with four flat ties and only deciding to change one of them – the car is still not going to move!
Statement from Vice-President Jeff Fusco
"Akron City Council studied the proposed charter amendment and voted it down. We educated ourselves, and now we ask you to educate yourselves before you sign a petition to place this proposed change on the November ballot. Ask yourself, “Should we spend more tax dollars on charter changes that will divide our city?" The ballot will be full of important races and initiatives this November. By taking our time and further studying the necessary Charter amendments, we could place changes on the ballot that will have Akron's undivided attention in November 2025. We should never play politics with our safety forces, and this proposal does that. If this charter amendment passes, the Police and Fire Chief will be political appointees. I urge Akronites not to sign the petition.”
Statement from Councilman Brad McKitrick:
We recently appointed a new Police chief and a new Fire Chief. We need to take the time to look at all the issues within the Charter and correct those issues all at the same time. If we are sincerely looking for transparency and input from others, we should proceed slowly and thoughtfully.”
“Akron City Council is prepared to undertake a full Charter Amendment Review Process and propose recommendations for placement on the November 2025 ballot. I have asked Mayor Malik to join us in the effort, said President Margo Sommerville.”
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