City of Columbus Selects Ten Residents to Serve on Compensation and Charter Commissions in 2022
COLUMBUS, OH – Tonight, Council passed a series of appointments to seat commissioners for both the Charter Review Commission and Citizens’ Commission on Elected Official Compensation.
The Columbus City Charter requires both commissions be seated in 2022, with the Charter Review Commission set to be seated every ten years after 2022.
“Both of these citizen-led commissions will facilitate an independent review of critical city functions” said Council President Shannon G. Hardin. “The Charter Review Committee will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the city’s constitution, and offer changes for the residents to consider. The Elected Official Compensation Committee will take a rigorous look at elected official compensation to ensure the public is getting the service they deserve.”
The Columbus City Charter, originally adopted by voters in 1914, outlines the fundamental rights, powers and responsibilities of the citizens and their elected municipal officials. The Columbus City Charter was last amended in 2020 to create the Civilian Review Board and the Office of the Inspector General. Before that, in 2018, the Charter was amended to create a hybrid format of district representation for Council and in 2014, which resulted in several reforms to initiate ordinances, petitions, campaign finance, and ethics.
Both Commissions will be research based, to comprehensively review their missions and offer opportunities for significant public input, culminating in recommendations to Council and the Mayor. The Charter Review Commission may include specific amendment language, suggestions to improve, clarify or modernize the Charter, or recommendations to further research sections that require additional consideration or deliberation. Any recommendations made by the Charter Review Commission to amend the Charter will require a vote of Council and the approval of Columbus voters during a future election.
"The City of Columbus is unique in its commitment to continuous improvement," said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. "We have an obligation, as stewards of the public's trust, to evaluate our existing systems and put into place policies and structures that enable us to better serve our residents. I am grateful to everyone who is contributing their time and talent to this important work.”
The five member Charter Review Commission will be composed of residents selected by both Council and the Mayor, after reviewing applications, and adopting the members during the January 10, 2022 Council meeting. The commissioners are:
Trudy Bartley, Chair
Desmond Bryant
Nana Watson
Keary McCarthy
Norwood “Buzz” Thomas
Last convened in 2018, the Citizens’ Commission on Elected Official Compensation reviews and recommends the salary for each elective officer of the city, increasing citizen engagement and accountability in the process of setting future pay rates for elected officials in Columbus. This process is mandated by the City Charter to occur every four years. The commissioners are selected by the Mayor and Council, and are as follows:
Michael Kasler, Chair
Fred Ransier
Keisha Jenkins
Sarah Ingles
Quiana Williams
The work of both commissions will begin in January, and the Citizens' Commission on Elected Official Compensation will conclude their work in early Spring, while the Charter Review Commission will conclude before Council’s August Legislative Recess.