TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo city voters faced a ballot measure Tuesday that would make a long list of changes to the city charter, including increasing the number of terms a mayor can serve and also increasing the amount of money city officials could spend without city council approval.
Issue 21 was the product of a charter review committee, which combed through Toledo's charter and considered areas that may need updating. The committee's recommendations must go before voters before the charter can be amended.
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz's administration has promoted Issue 21 for its capacity to change the rules for funding street projects in the city. If voters approve Issue 21, the city will be allowed to use capital funds for projects on unimproved streets, making it possible to do more street work without any additional taxes.
But the ballot measure also would change the term limits for Toledo's mayor. Instead of being limited to two consecutive terms, the city's mayor would be allowed three consecutive terms. And the change would apply to Kapszukiewicz, who is now in his second term in office.
Other charter changes included in Issue 21:
- Increase the amount of money the city's administrators can spend without approval from Toledo City Council from $10,000 to $25,000.
- Change the rules for the winners of primary elections, eliminating the formality of candidates filing a written letter to accept their party's nomination.
- Cut the number of signatures necessary to get initiatives and referendums on the ballot from 12 percent of the city to 7 percent.
- Remove the city residency requirement for city employees.
Supporters of the measure say that Issue 21 will modernize and update the city's charter in ways that improve Toledo city government. Critics have complained that the all-or-nothing vote on a list of issues that voters would prefer to consider individually is not a good way to manage charter changes.
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