Greenfield government could stay same, despite village conversion
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Greenfield residents may not have to vote in all new village officials, according to a new opinion from Greenfield Law Director Brian Zets. However, the Highland County Board of Elections is waiting on an official opinion from the Ohio Secretary of State's Office before preparing the November general election ballot.
Zets sent the following letter July 14 to the Highland County Board of Elections: "As you are aware, the recent census results declared the City of Greenfield a village. Due to the adoption of the City Manager Plan of government by the electors of Greenfield on May 8, 2007, I have determined that this form of government will remain in place. Therefore, the elected officials for the now Village of Greenfield will remain unchanged for the upcoming November election and future elections unless the optional plan is abolished."
Zets previously told The Highland County Press that there is not a specific set of instructions in the Ohio Revised Code for a municipality to follow in order to convert from city status to village status.
"We're pretty close to charting new ground," Zets said in June. "It's not unheard of, but there is no checklist of (what needs to be done) especially when going from a city to a village.
Greenfield is converting from city to village status following the official findings of the 2010 census that showed Greenfield lacked the 5,000 people it needs to be a considered a city.
Previous interpretations of the ORC had Greenfield electing a new six-person council, a mayor, and auditor, with the options of hiring a new city manager and law director. The current five-person council would remain until Jan. 1 when the newly elected officials would take office.
According to the new review of election laws, because Greenfield residents voted to have the city manager form of government, that will remain consistent, despite whether or not Greenfield is considered a village or a city. So, the current elected officials would remain, and the finance director would be an appointed position.
Three council members - Robert Bergstrom, Harvey Everhart and William Redenbaugh - have terms that are up and those positions will appear on the ballot.
Aug. 10 is the last day to file for the November general election ballot.
Highland County Board of Elections Direction Debbie Craycraft said that they have put in a request for an opinion on the matter to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. An official response has not yet been issued, and Craycraft said they are not moving forward until they receive official word on how to prepare the ballot.
Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop told The Highland County Press that while it is still not official, and many questions still remain, she hopes that the form of government will be able to stay the same, because consistency will help to keep Greenfield moving forward.
"In my opinion, if we don't have to change, I think that would be best," Bishop said. "This community has been through too many changes. When there are changes in government, it only slows you down. Other people may have different opinions, but I think that this would be the best thing for Greenfield."
Greenfield residents may not have to vote in all new village officials, according to a new opinion from Greenfield Law Director Brian Zets. However, the Highland County Board of Elections is waiting on an official opinion from the Ohio Secretary of State's Office before preparing the November general election ballot.
Zets sent the following letter July 14 to the Highland County Board of Elections: "As you are aware, the recent census results declared the City of Greenfield a village. Due to the adoption of the City Manager Plan of government by the electors of Greenfield on May 8, 2007, I have determined that this form of government will remain in place. Therefore, the elected officials for the now Village of Greenfield will remain unchanged for the upcoming November election and future elections unless the optional plan is abolished."
Zets previously told The Highland County Press that there is not a specific set of instructions in the Ohio Revised Code for a municipality to follow in order to convert from city status to village status.
"We're pretty close to charting new ground," Zets said in June. "It's not unheard of, but there is no checklist of (what needs to be done) especially when going from a city to a village.
Greenfield is converting from city to village status following the official findings of the 2010 census that showed Greenfield lacked the 5,000 people it needs to be a considered a city.
Previous interpretations of the ORC had Greenfield electing a new six-person council, a mayor, and auditor, with the options of hiring a new city manager and law director. The current five-person council would remain until Jan. 1 when the newly elected officials would take office.
According to the new review of election laws, because Greenfield residents voted to have the city manager form of government, that will remain consistent, despite whether or not Greenfield is considered a village or a city. So, the current elected officials would remain, and the finance director would be an appointed position.
Three council members - Robert Bergstrom, Harvey Everhart and William Redenbaugh - have terms that are up and those positions will appear on the ballot.
Aug. 10 is the last day to file for the November general election ballot.
Highland County Board of Elections Direction Debbie Craycraft said that they have put in a request for an opinion on the matter to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. An official response has not yet been issued, and Craycraft said they are not moving forward until they receive official word on how to prepare the ballot.
Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop told The Highland County Press that while it is still not official, and many questions still remain, she hopes that the form of government will be able to stay the same, because consistency will help to keep Greenfield moving forward.
"In my opinion, if we don't have to change, I think that would be best," Bishop said. "This community has been through too many changes. When there are changes in government, it only slows you down. Other people may have different opinions, but I think that this would be the best thing for Greenfield."
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