Lorain City Council
Lorain City Council moved legislation on to its second reading at a meeting Nov. 20 which, if passed, will allow city officials to ask voters whether to increase Council terms to four years from two years.
The resolution to submit the ballot question to voters includes not only increases in terms for council members, but also the council president’s seat as well, according to the document.
The legislation also states the ballot question would appear on the March 19, 2024, Primary Election.
“The members of the legislative authority of the City of Lorain, Ohio, have determined that a term of four years promotes good government for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Lorain,” the resolution stated.
Additionally, “the legislative authority has determined that staggering the commencement of the terms of office of its membership promotes stable leadership by Lorain City council for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens,” the resolution stated.
The resolution proposes the Council members, both at-large as well as those representing Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7, to be increased, if voters approve, on Jan. 1, 2026.
Council president and Council members representing Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8 increase in terms would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2028, if voters pass the issue, the legislation stated.
Councilman-at-large Tony DiMacchia made a motion to waive the three-reading rule which would have allowed Council to immediately vote on the issue, and Councilman-at-large Mitchell Fallis seconded the motion, according to Clerk of Council Breanna Dull.
However, Councilwoman-at-large Mary Springowski, First Ward Councilwoman Beth Henley and Seventh Ward Councilman Cory Shawver voted against the idea of waiving the three-reading rule, Dull said.
Council is scheduled to vote again on the resolution at its Dec. 4 meeting, she said.
The city’s deadline to have the ballot question filed with the Lorain County Board of Elections is Dec. 20 to certify the issue, according to the resolution.
