Shelby City Council to revisit proposed charter amendment
By David Jacobs
A proposed charter amendment that would be submitted to Shelby voters in November is set for a first reading during the Shelby City Council meeting on Monday, June 2.
The measure, listed as Ordinance No. 15-2025, proposes an amendment to Section 53 of the Charter of the city of Shelby to extend the candidate filing deadline from 75 days to 90 days before a primary election and that city voters address the proposal.
A similar proposal was considered by the Shelby City Council in 2024 at the request of the Richland County Board of Elections so that Shelby would be on the same filing cycle as other communities in the county.
The proposal received three of five council votes in 2024, but a supermajority of four was required, so it did not advance to voters. Concerns raised in 2024 included deference to Shelby’s charter and a desire to offer candidates as much time as possible to file for election.
This year, the legislation specifies that the proposed change is driven by a revision to state law enacted in 2014. The Ohio Revised Code was updated to require filing 90 days prior to primaries, while the Shelby charter has retained the shorter window. Council is considering the charter amendment to bring the city’s filing timeline in line with the state.
SEE CURRENT PROPOSED LEGISLATION BELOW
If passed by the council, the amendment would appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot. Shelby voters would decide whether to approve the change during that regular election.
The June 2 agenda lists the ordinance as a first reading. Three readings are held ahead of a vote for passage unless it is passed as an emergency.
Shelby City Councilman at-large Steve McLaughlin is listed as the sponsor of the proposed legislation that does not carry an emergency designation.
In all, five ordinances and three resolutions are before the Shelby City Council on June 2:
-- Ordinance No. 11-2025 (Second Reading): Determines that certain real property owned by the City of Shelby be sold and designates the Community Improvement Corporation of Shelby, Ohio, Inc., as the city’s agent in the sale. This involves an effort to place Shelby's old historic firehouse in private hands so that it can have an active and suitable use along Main Street.
-- Ordinance No. 12-2025 (Second Reading): Amends Chapter 1042 (Sewer Regulations), Section 1042.13, modifying limitations on wastewater strength under subsection (C) Local Limits.
Shelby Municipal Utilities Director John Ensman, the city’s deputy public service director, was asked about this at the most recent City Council meeting on May 19 by Shelby City Councilman Eric Cutlip.
Ensman stated that the city of Shelby's wastewater superintendent had sought the reduction based on past readings and that the EPA had reviewed it and agreed to the modification. The EPA did not initiate the proposal, Ensman said in addressing Cutlip's question.
-- Ordinance No. 13-2025 (Second Reading): Amends Section 1044.09 of Chapter 1044 (Sewer Charges), updating the septage receiving rate and fee schedule.
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag has noted that these rates do not affect traditional city of Shelby customers.
-- Ordinance No. 17-2025 (First Reading): Amends Chapter 1040 (Water), Section 1040.04, Rule 45, updating additional charges for water consumers outside city limits.
-- Resolution No. 18-2025: Authorizes the mayor, as director of public service, to acquire rights of easement for a waterline extension from 2020 Lee, LLC.
-- Resolution No. 19-2025: Declares the intent to vacate a portion of Spruce Street within the city.
-- Resolution No. 20-2025: Approves plans and authorizes the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the 2025 Curtis Drive sanitary sewer extension project. The resolution is declared an emergency.
In other business, reports are scheduled from the following Shelby officials and a committee:
-- Mayor Schag
-- Director of Finance Brian Crum
-- Law Director Gordon Eyster
-- Project Coordinator Joe Gies
-- The City Council's Community and Economic Development Committee, led by Councilman Cutlip
In addition to McLaughlin and Cutlip, the other members of Shelby City Council are Nathan Martin, Derrin Roberts and Charles Roub.
The meeting is at 7 p.m. June 2 in council chambers, 29 Mack Ave.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Shelby launches legislative step to give firehouse new life
