The Village Charter was last revised 21 years ago by referendum ballot (November 1994). During the May 14th Council Meeting, the Council provided staff with direction to develop a resolution establishing a Charter Review Committee and identify residents who are interested in serving on this Committee.
As a result, during the July 23, 2015 Council Meeting, the Council appointed five (5) residents – one from each Voting District within the Village (one district maintained two members as the Mayor is elected Village-wide) – to serve on the Charter Review Committee. The Committee met on three (3) occasions (August 19th, August 26th and September 9th) and developed a final recommendations report that was provided to the Village Council.
On September 24, 2015, the Village Council held a workshop with the Charter Review Committee to discuss the various recommended changes to the Village Charter. Many of the changes were recommended to resolve housekeeping issues as well as to create a more productive and effective organization and to achieve cost savings opportunities.
Upon receiving the Committee’s recommendations, the Village Council passed three (3) ordinances approving proposed revisions to be included as a referendum questions on the next election ballot, in accordance with the Village Charter. The proposed Ordinances establishing referendum questions were submitted to the Supervisor of Elections to be included on the ballot during the Presidential Primary/Municipal Elections on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.