Summary of Charter Amendments

At the request of Village Council we have prepared the following summaries of the Charter Amendments that will be on the November 3, 2026 ballot. These summaries are for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted as advocating or recommending that residents vote either for or against the proposed charter amendments.

Section 6.06 Primary and Run-Off Elections

These amendments eliminate the references to candidates running for council at large as outdated and no longer applicable.

Section 6.07 Qualifications

Section 6.07 is amended to remove the gender-specific language and references to at large council members. Amendments also clarify that elected officials may only hold another office if it is included as part of their position with the Village.

Section 7.01 Number and Term

The amendments to this Charter provision removes the two Council members elected at large eliminating two City Council positions and reducing City Council from seven members to five members.

Section 7.03 Boundaries

This repeals Section 7.03 in its entirety, thereby eliminating the descriptions and geographic boundaries of Oakwood’s five wards. The repeal also eliminates the provision authorizing Council to alter ward boundaries during even-numbered years and governing the timing and effectiveness of such changes for electoral purposes. As such, the Charter will no longer prescribe the geographic boundaries of the Village’s wards or the process by which those boundaries may be modified.

Section 7.04 Division after Federal Census

The amendments contained in this section authorize Village Council to direct staff, departments, third-party contractors, and to appropriate funds necessary to implement ward redistricting requirements. The Village Engineer will also be required to maintain and update a public ward boundary map within thirty (30) days of the passage of an ordinance redividing the Village or the Council President’s submission of a plan to redivide. Other changes make gender-specific references gender-neutral.

Section 7.07 Vacancy

The amendment to Section 7.07 would establish an election process to fill Council vacancies, including nomination requirements and candidate eligibility rules, by filling vacancies by election and ensuring voters have the opportunity to choose the person who will serve the remainder of the term. The added language provides that, when the vacancy occurs far enough in advance of its expiration and at least 120 days before the next election, the vacancy must be placed before the voters at that election. The amendments also establish procedures for this election, including no primary contest, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to complete the remainder of the term, candidates must file nominating petitions, and a sitting Village elected official may not run for the vacant Council seat without vacating the current position.

Section 7.08 President of Council

The amendments in Section 7.08 remove gender-specific language and references to Council members elected at large. The amendments also clarify how and when the President of the Council and President Pro Tempore are elected among the Council members.

Section 7.14 Publication

Section 7.14 is amended to remove the requirement to post ordinances and resolutions at a public location within the Village and eliminates the Clerk’s duty to certify the location of postings, while retaining the requirement of posting at Village Hall and on the official Village Website.

Section 10.11 Mandatory Referral—Automatic Zoning Referendum The amendments to this Charter section expand where proposed changes to legislation may be published to include publication on the Village website in addition to the newspaper. Section 13.07 Charter corrections This new Charter provision authorizes Council to make non-substantial edits, such as technical, formatting, numbering, and updates to Ohio law revisions and corrections, to the Charter without submitting the changes for voter approval provided the changes do not alter the meaning, intent, or substance of the Charter as approved by voters except where necessary to conform to Ohio law. Such changes must be approved by resolution of Council prior to taking effect. Additionally, when a Charter amendment creates, eliminates, or changes the responsibilities of a Village office, officer, department, or agency, Council may make corresponding updates throughout the Charter so that references remain accurate and consistent.

Section 13.08 Ethical Conduct and Conflict of Interest

The adoption of this new Charter provision will establish that elected and appointed Village officers, officials, and employees are subject to Ohio’s ethics and conflicts of interest laws and specifies the civil and criminal penalties established by such laws may be imposed.