TITLE
A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE ELECTORATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE GAHANNA CITY CHARTER PERTAINING TO WARD BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS
BODY
WHEREAS, the Gahanna Charter Review Commission has recommended to City Council that changes be made to Section 4.02, Composition and Term, of Article IV, The Council, of the Gahanna City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the Gahanna Charter Review Commission's proposed amendment would revise the process for adjusting ward boundaries by utilizing federal decennial census population data and establishing criteria for when ward boundaries must be rebalanced based on population disparities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That the question of an amendment to the Charter of the City of Gahanna be submitted to the electors of the City of Gahanna at the next regular general election so that, as amended, the same shall read as follows on EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and made a part hereof as if fully written herein.
Section 2. That the Clerk shall make available to the Board of Elections sufficient copies of this text so as to have one copy per precinct in all voting places within the City of Gahanna.
Section 3. That this amendment be digested on the voting machine with the following language:
Shall Section 4.02, Composition and Term, of Article IV, The Council, be amended to revise the process for adjusting ward boundaries to base it on federal decennial census population data and specified population disparity criteria?
For ___________ Against ___________
Section 4. That the Board of Elections of Franklin County, Ohio, be and it is hereby directed to give public notice of the time and place of holding such election shall be given by publication of notice thereof at least ten (10) days prior to the day of such election in a newspaper published and of general circulation in the City of Gahanna.
Section 5. That the Clerk of Council is hereby directed to publish the full text of the proposed Charter amendment as set forth in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and made a part hereof as if fully rewritten herein, once a week for not less than two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipality, with the first publication being at least fifteen (15) days prior to the election, all in accordance with Section 9 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution, and Section 731.211(B), Ohio Revised Code, and that the Clerk is directed to verify a copy of this resolution to the Board of Elections within the time period prescribed by Section 8 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution.
Section 6. That the Board of Elections is hereby authorized to place the digest shown in Section 3 above within the voting machine at the general election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Section 7. That language to the effect that a majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage be digested on the voting machine.
Section 8. That the City Attorney is hereby authorized to do any and all things necessary to ensure that the issue is placed on the ballot in conformance with the Constitution and the laws of the State of Ohio and the Charter of the City of Gahanna.
Section 9. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.