Label
Proposed Text Amendments to Toledo Charter
City Council
Title
Providing for the submission to the electors of the City of Toledo at a special election on November 3, 2026, an amendment to the Charter of the City of Toledo; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
This amendment would allow City Council to determine the terms of employment for its officers and employees, including matters such as hiring, discipline and termination. This ordinance authorizes putting the question before the People to amend to Sections 6, 33, and 171 of the Charter of the City of Toledo.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the amendment to the Charter of the City of Toledo, as hereinafter set forth, be submitted to the electors of the City of Toledo at a special election to be held on November 3, 2026.
SECTION 2. That the Charter of the City of Toledo, Section 6 which presently reads as follows:
Section 6. Definitions.
Unless the context compels a different meaning, the word "officer" where found in this Charter shall be understood to mean one appointed or elected to the service of the City not as mere laborer in the classified civil service.
The word "employee," one who serves the City in the classified civil service;
The word "laborer," an ordinary unskilled laborer in the service of the City;
The word "Clerk," the Clerk of the Council, or City Clerk;
The words "election authorities," the officers designated by statute to conduct elections;
The word "electors," residents of the City qualified to vote to fill all elective offices;
The words "City Journal," The Toledo City Journal;
The word "measure" used in connection with legislation, an ordinance or resolution of
the Council, or amendment to this Charter, as the case may be;
The word "statute," the general law of Ohio.
In stating the number of votes necessary to pass a measure, the words "members of the Council," means the full membership of the Council, including vacancies, if any.
shall be amended to read as follows:
Section 6. Definitions.
Unless the context compels a different meaning, the word "officer" where found in this Charter shall be understood to mean one appointed or elected to the service of the City and not in the classified civil service.
The word "employee," persons holding positions in the classified and unclassified civil service;
The word "Clerk," the Clerk of the Council, or City Clerk;
The words "election authorities," the officers designated by statute to conduct elections;
The word "electors," residents of the City qualified to vote to fill all elective offices;
The words "City Journal," The Toledo City Journal;
The word "measure" used in connection with legislation, an ordinance or resolution of the Council, or amendment to this Charter, as the case may be;
The word "statute," the general law of Ohio.
In stating the number of votes necessary to pass a measure, the words "members of the Council," means the full membership of the Council, including vacancies, if any.
SECTION 3. That the Charter of the City of Toledo, Section 33 which presently reads as follows:
Section 33. Officers and employees.
The Council shall choose a Clerk and such other officers as are necessary, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. The Clerk and employees shall hold over until the new Council is organized.
shall be amended to read as follows:
Section 33: Clerk, officers, and employees
The Council shall choose a Clerk and such other officers or employees as are necessary, all of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. The Clerk, officers and employees shall hold over until the new Council is organized. Council shall determine all conditions of employment of its officers and employees, including hiring, discipline and termination, in accordance with its adopted rules.
SECTION 4. That the Charter of the City of Toledo, Section 171 which presently reads as follows:
Section 171. Classification of Service.
The civil service of the City is hereby divided into the unclassified (not subject to the examination herein provided) and the classified service.
(1) The unclassified service shall include:
(a) Officers elected by the people.
(b) The City Auditor and the secretary and the auditing assistants to the City Auditor.
(c) Directors of departments, Commissioners, and other heads of divisions.
(d) Members of boards or commissions, and the chief administrative officers thereof.
(e) The Mayor's Executive Assistant, secretary, and assistants.
(f) One (1) secretary for each department, board or commission.
(g) The legal assistants to the Director of Law.
(h) The Clerk of the Council and one (1) secretary to the Clerk of Council.
shall be amended to read as follows:
Section 171. Classification of Service.
The civil service of the City is hereby divided into the unclassified (not subject to the examination herein provided) and the classified service.
(1) The unclassified service shall include:
(a) Officers elected by the people.
(b) The City Auditor and the secretary and the auditing assistants to the City Auditor.
(c) Directors of departments, Commissioners, and other heads of divisions.
(d) Members of boards or commissions, and the chief administrative officers thereof.
(e) The Mayor's Executive Assistant, secretary, and assistants.
(f) One (1) secretary for each department, board or commission.
(g) The legal assistants to the Director of Law.
(h) The Clerk of the Council and one (1) secretary to the Clerk of Council.
(i) Officers and employees of City Council.
SECTION 5. That the foregoing amendment to the Charter of the City of Toledo shall take effect immediately upon approval by the electors of the amendment and in accordance with provisions in the amendment. The Clerk of Council is hereby ordered and directed to provide a copy hereof to the Ohio Secretary of State within thirty (30) days after such vote of approval by the electors.
SECTION 6. The Clerk of Council is hereby ordered and directed to certify to the Board of Elections of Lucas County, Ohio, the enactment of this Ordinance for the submission of the aforesaid amendment at an election to be held at the time hereinabove mentioned, and the Clerk is directed to request the Board of Elections to provide for the submission of the question of adopting the amendment of the Charter of the City of Toledo at the said election. The Clerk of Council is further ordered and directed to cause the publication of the full text of the proposed charter amendment once a week for not less than two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Toledo, with the first publication being at least fifteen (15) days prior to the election at which the amendment is to be submitted to the electors.
SECTION 7. It is hereby found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this Ordinance were taken in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council and any of its committees that resulted in such formal action were in meetings open to the Public, in compliance with all legal requirements for open meetings, including section 121.22, Ohio Revised Code.
SECTION 8. That this Ordinance hereby is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency is due to deadlines imposed by the Charter and state law regarding the timely submission of ballot initiatives to the appropriate election authorities for the next general election.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council