Next Steps to November

After council sides 5-2 against charter change amendment for November, Tarazi looks to alter course to May 2024.

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Hilliard voters are not to consider a ballot issue Nov. 7 concerning the appointment of the city’s finance and law directors after an ordinance of Hilliard City Council to place it on the ballot failed July 10.

But the issue could instead appear on the ballot in May if supporters are successful in an initiative petition to place the issue before voters.

An effort to put the issue on the Nov. 7 general-election ballot failed 5-2.

• City Council President Omar Tarazi and Councilman Les Carrier were voted in favor of the ordinance.

• Council members Tina Cottone, Peggy Hale, Pete Marsh, Andy Teater, and Cynthia Vermillion voted against the measure.

While there was ardent and lengthy discussion among council members in sessions leading up to July 10, the vote was taken without further discussion.

Tarazi previously said he did not expect the ordinance had support from a majority of City Council and would undertake an initiative petition.

Speaking after the meeting, Tarazi acknowledged there is not enough time to meet the Aug. 9 filing deadline at the Franklin County Board of Elections for placement on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Instead, supporters are to launch an initiative petition that would place the issue on the primary ballot in May 2024, Tarazi said.

As written, the failed ordinance would have amended the city charter so as to replace the city’s appointed law director with an elected law director.

It would have further amended the charter so that the finance director served at the pleasure of the city manager and City Council, rather than solely at the pleasure of the city manager.

The city manager would have been required to achieve majority support from City Council when appointing or firing the finance director.

Speaking after the meeting, Hale said she is in favor of an amendment that would cause the finance director to serve at the pleasure of the city manager and City Council and would support a change that the law director also to serve at the pleasure of the city manager and City Council.

But Hale said she did not support Hilliard having an elected law director.

On June 26, when the ordinance was introduced for its first reading, Tarazi attempted to amend the ordinance to keep the law director an appointed position but serving at the pleasure of the city manager and City Council.

The amendment failed 4-3, with Hale in support, causing the ordinance to advance in its original form to a second reading July 10 where it failed 5-2.

Opinions on the ordinance were clear prior to the July 10 vote.

“We need this change to ensure there are appropriate checks and balances and accountability in the system similar to Dublin and Upper Arlington, and every other major city, which currently there is not (in Hilliard), particularly when a majority of City Council believes it is their job to serve the city manager instead of serving and representing the interests of the people of Hilliard,” Tarazi said June 28.

Under the current city charter, the city manager is empowered to hire and fire all department directors.

But in Dublin, the approval of City Council is required for the city manager to hire or fire the directors of law and finance.

In Upper Arlington, City Council appoints the law director and confirms the city manager’s decisions concerning the finance director.

In Columbus, the auditor and city attorney are elected offices.

Summing up his long-held position; Council member Marsh said he does not support any changes to the Hilliard City Charter through this effort and that the city manager, answerable to City Council, should have the autonomy to hire and fire all department directors while carrying out the responsibilities of the city manager.