Amendments to the City Charter

On November 4, 2025, voters in the City of Clayton will consider five proposed amendments to the City Charter, each aimed at modernizing, clarifying, or aligning local governance with state law. These updates were recommended by the Clayton Charter Review Commission and approved by City Council for placement on the ballot.

Below is a brief summary of each proposed change:

1. Mayor and Vice Mayor - Section 3.04

Removes the Mayor's designation as the primary contact for Economic and Community Development.
This change reflects Clayton's Council-Manager form of government, where the City Manager, not the Mayor, handles administrative and economic development duties.

2. Salaries of Elected Officials - Section 3.08

Eliminates language allowing mid-term salary adjustments for elected officials.
This amendment ensures compliance with Ohio law, which prohibits changes to an official's salary during their term in office.

3. Residency Requirements - Sections 5.02 & 11.03

Removes outdated residency requirements for the City Manager and certain employees.
The change aligns the Charter with Ohio Revised Code, which prohibits requiring employees to live in a specific city as a condition of employment-except for emergency personnel under specific conditions.

4. Ward Boundaries and Candidate Eligibility - Sections 3.03 & 9.01

Prevents disqualification of candidates due to ward redistricting.
The amendment allows residents moved into a new ward through redistricting to remain eligible to run for Council in that ward, avoiding unintended disqualifications caused by timing.

5. Public Notices and Bidding Procedures - Sections 4.031, 4.032, 4.04 & 8.02

Replaces newspaper publication requirements with online postings.
This update reflects modern communication practices, allowing public notices and bid solicitations to be posted on the City's website and social media, reducing costs while maintaining transparency. The City of Clayton spent $5,248 on advertising costs in 2024.

Why These Changes Matter

The Charter Review Commission emphasized that these updates are designed to:

• Bring the Charter into compliance with state law
• Reflect modern governance practices
• Improve transparency and accessibility
• Reduce unnecessary costs

Each amendment will appear as a separate or grouped ballot issue. More details, including sample language and voting information, will be available on the City of Clayton's website as Election Day approaches.