North Royalton Residents please make sure you vote all the way down your ballots. Because there are four Charter Amendments on the November 3, 2020 General Election Ballot. Issue #26 is another Charter Amendment you should consider voting NO on. Here are some reasons why below.
What is Issue # 26 Ballot Language?
Proposed Charter Amendment
City of North Royalton
A majority affirmative vote is required for passage.
Shall Article XVI, Section (h) of the Charter of the City of North Royalton be amended to authorize Council in the instance of an emergency that significantly affects the duties and obligations of the municipality, to waive the requirement of public bidding and where public bidding is employed, to allow Council to choose the lowest and/or best bidder where appropriate?
YES
Or
NO
*County Board of Elections Ballot Issues List pgs 9-10 https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/pdf_boe/en-US/2020/Nov2020/Nov2020IssuesList.pdf
What does Issue #26 change in the City of North Royalton Charter?
ARTICLE XVI FINANCE
(h) PUBLIC BIDDING
The Council may authorize, in specific cases, expenditures of the funds of the Municipality without public biddings: in the instance of an emergency that significantly affects the duties and obligations of the municipality, for the acquisition of real estate, for the discharge of noncontractual claims against the Municipality, for personal services, for the joint use of facilities or exercise of power with other political subdivisions, or for the product or services of public utilities (including those Municipally operated). But No other expenditures in excess of the amount allowed by Section 733.22, 735.05 and 737.03 and other pertinent sections of the Ohio Revised Code shall be made except pursuant to contracts made with the lowest and/or best bidder after public advertising and receipt of bids in the manner provided by ordinance. Nothing herein shall be construed to require Council to accept any bid.
Note: Red indicates changes proposed if approved.
Source: Ordinance 20-94 http://www.northroyalton.org/pdf_northroyalton/en-US/CouncilOffice/Legislation/2020Legislation/20-094.pdf
Some Reasons Why You Should Vote NO on Issue #26
- Adding additional ways to waive the requirement of public bidding and picking the lowest and/or best bidder is not fiscally responsible for the City or taxpayers.
- Ballot language for this Charter Amendment is also vague, confusing, misleading, lacks transparency, and meant to trick voters. The term “Emergency” especially is too broad and not clearly defined to protect taxpayers from possible fraud, waste, and abuse.
- The City of North Royalton has existed since 1818 with various forms of government and have been able to operate in delivering services to residents even during times of Emergency.
- Charter Amendment is not necessary. COVID-19 has not stopped the City of North Royalton from functioning or even completing projects during this global pandemic.
Sources:
*July 7, 2020 North Royalton City Council Meeting file:///C:/Users/Owner/AppData/Local/Temp/070720-1.pdf
*Ordinance 20-94 http://www.northroyalton.org/pdf_northroyalton/en-US/CouncilOffice/Legislation/2020Legislation/20-094.pdf
What People are Saying about Issue #26
Letter to Editor in North Royalton Recorder (pg 8) by Thomas R. McGough III. Dated September 24, 2020.
Michael McDonald, Resident
“Mr. McDonald stated Ordinance 20-94 is kind of more of the same, if you do the right thing and get the quotes and don’t cut corners, you’re also covering your own — per say.”
Source: July 7, 2020 North Royalton City Council Meeting file:///C:/Users/Owner/AppData/Local/Temp/070720-1.pdf
Dawn Carbone-McDonald, Resident & Former North Royalton Ward 5 City Council Candidate
“Ms. McDonald stated Ordinance 20-94, do the right thing, make every attempt to obtain a minimum of 3 quotes. Even if they have to be quickly solicited (inaudible) real estate, have real-estate firms submit percentage of commission, the city will pay per tran action over a defined period; say six months or a year. For the discharge of non-contractual claims against the city, have legal firms submit hourly rates or fixed rates and award them the contract over a defined period, etc. for each possible matter. Don’t cut corners. Do the right thing and obtain the minimum required quotes. Our residents deserve this.”
Source: July 7, 2020 North Royalton City Council Meeting file:///C:/Users/Owner/AppData/Local/Temp/070720-1.pdf
Click Here to view the rest of the Charter Amendments on the November 3, 2020 General Election Ballot.