Forms of City Government

Some folks in our fair city are toying with the idea of proposing a charter to the residents.

The Ohio Constitution gives all municipalities home rule. This means that cities and villages may adapt laws for purposes of local self-government that are not specifically forbidden by or in conflict with general law. By way of contrast, counties and townships may perform only those functions that are specifically permitted by state law, unless they adopt, by vote of their citizens, an alternate or charter form of government.

Municipalities may choose from three different types of government - general statutory law (Wilmington and Clinton County villages), one of three optional statutory laws or charter. The optional plans and the charter require approval by vote of the citizens. Municipalities are classified as either villages (under five thousand population) or cities (five thousand and over).

Piqua is one example of many types of charter cities in Ohio.

Piqua is served by five commissioners representing the five wards.

Each Commissioner must live within the ward that he/she represents. Any person eligible to the commission may be placed in nomination by a petition filed in his behalf with the election authorities and signed by not less than fifty (50) nor more than one hundred (100) electors of his ward, as a candidate for ward commissioner.

Election of commissioners is city wide with the entire city electing all commissioners and is nonpartisan. Elected Commissioners serve a term of four years. City Commissioner elections are held in November in odd numbered years. The election of commissioners is staggered so that all seats are not contested at the same time. Ward 3 and Ward 4 will be contested in 2001, 2005, etc.  Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 5 will be contested in 2003, 2007, etc.

The Mayor of Piqua is also known as the President of the Commission.  He/She must be one of the five commissioners. The Mayor must declare him/herself as a mayoral candidate and is elected by the city at large. The mayor serves a two year term. Election of the Mayor is held in November in odd numbered years.

Washington C.H. charter does not provide for a Mayor.

Paul Hunter