Voters Approve Avon Lake Charter Changes in Mixed Bag Results

Voters supported two of three charter amendments on the Avon Lake ballot Aug. 7.

Issue 4, a charter amendment that would require a primary election for elected officials, including the mayor and council members, when three or more candidates run for the post, was approved Aug. 7 by a vote of 2079 in favor (72.44 percent) and 791 against (27.56 percent).

Allowing the Avon Lake Board of Municipal Utilities to meet in executive session, deemed a correction to a 2005 charter change, met overwhelming support at the Aug. 7 Special Election. With 100 of the votes counted, 1818 (63.48 percent) voted yes, and 1046, (36.52) voting against the change. Approval of Issue 5 means the board will be able to discuss items in executive session, including personnel and legal issues.

 Issue 6, a charter amendment requiring the Avon Lake Board of Municipal Utilities to meet on a different night than city council passed by a vote of 1467  to 1411 on Aug. 7. It means the Board of Municipal Utilities will be required to meet on an evening when council is not meeting.

Chief Utilities Executive Todd Danielson commented on the results.

"The Board of Municipal Utilities is glad the voters resoundingly agreed they should have the ability to meet in executive session to discuss matters allowed by the Ohio Revised Code," Danielson said.

He said voters can expect to see the meeting night issue on the November General Election ballot.

"With such a low turnout and no strong mandate either for or against prohibiting the Board of Municipal Utilities from meeting on the same night as Council, the Board is glad Council was willing to place the Meeting Night issue also on November's ballot," Danielson said. "The Board will work to assure that sufficient information is available for voters to inform themselves before the November election."

 Results are not yet certified by the Board of Elections, and a recount may be mandated after final certified election results are in Aug. 23, which includes provisional ballots and absentee ballots postmarked by Monday, Aug. 13.

Check back Aug. 8 for comments from city officials.