Pasted above is a copy of the legislation, Ordinance No. 56-13, enacted on July 15, 2013, by North Canton City Council by unanimous vote to place a Charter Amendment on the ballot to make the office of Mayor in North Canton a full-time position requiring the Mayor to devote his entire time and effort during regular business hours and all other times as are necessary to properly conduct the business of the City.
The petition drive to place the proposed Charter Amendment on the ballot collected 973 signatures, of which 952 were validated by the Stark County Board of elections, well in excess of the 746 signatures needed to place the issue on the ballot for voters on November 5, 2013.
As a matter of law, North Canton City Council was required to pass the legislation formally placing the ballot language before the citizens of North Canton for the General Election this fall on November 5, 2013.
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The Mayor of North Canton presently receives over $30,000 annually in salary and benefits. With the Mayor unavailable to assist the City Administrator during regular business hours, the City has twice in the last five years filled a position titled Director of Administrative Services to assist the City Administrator with daily operation of City business. Salary and benefits for that position were approximately $75,000 annually.
A full-time Mayor would eliminate the need for the position of Director of Administrative Services, a position that served as an assistant to North Canton’s City Administrator.
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With a portion of the costs paid to the former Director of Administrative Services in combination with the current salary already being paid to the Mayor, North Canton could have a full-time working Mayor and reduce personnel costs in the Mayor’s office, saving money for taxpayers.
A full-time Mayor for the City of North Canton will offer great benefits for its citizens.
* Citizens will have a Mayor working full-time on their behalf.
* There will be a reduction in personnel costs in the Mayor’s office with the elimination of the Director of Administrative Services position.
* Citizens and business owners will have a Mayor available to meet with them during normal business hours, which will strengthen economic development efforts.
* A full-time Mayor will bring added prestige to the community.
* A full-time Mayor will be much more informed on all aspects of city business.
* A full-time Mayor will team with the City Administrator to conduct the business of the city in a more efficient and expeditious manner eliminating the need for hiring assistants.
* A full-time Mayor will not have to be distracted with the burdens of private employment and not have to put city business secondary to another full-time job.
* A full-time Mayor who is engaged full-time at City Hall on behalf of its citizens will be able to provide stronger leadership to City Council.
This is a win for taxpayers and citizens alike.
Thank you,
Chuck Osborne