Written by In Part I, I explained the basics of why Marion should adopt a city charter. We looked at how a charter is essentially our own local constitution, a document written by us, approved by us, and amendable only by us. It is the key to improving service delivery, locking transparency into place, and giving voters more direct control over their government.
Now, in Part II, I want to go deeper. We’ll look at how other cities in Ohio have successfully used charters to strengthen their communities. We’ll also revisit Marion’s own history with this discussion, because this is not a new idea. In fact, I helped start this very conversation back in 2018.
Delaware, Ohio: Growth Managed Through a Charter
Delaware is one of the fastest-growing communities in central Ohio. With growth comes challenges: more residents, more traffic, more demand for services, and higher expectations for accountability. Delaware has managed that growth through its city charter.
The Delaware charter created a council–manager form of government. Under this model, the elected council sets the vision and passes legislation, while a professional city manager runs the day-to-day operations. This balance allows policy decisions to remain in the hands of elected representatives while ensuring services are delivered efficiently by a trained administrator.
Because of its charter, Delaware has the flexibility to adapt its rules to local needs. Procurement, staffing, and budgeting procedures are written locally, not dictated by the state. This gives the city the ability to make quick adjustments as growth demands, while keeping checks and balances in place. Delaware’s success shows how a charter can be both a shield against inefficiency and a tool for managing change.
Marysville, Ohio: Flexibility and Accountability
Marysville offers another useful case study. Their charter has given them the flexibility to shape their government around local needs instead of a rigid state framework. Over the years, that flexibility has helped Marysville expand infrastructure, work with industry partners, and manage residential development while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The Marysville charter also provides stronger accountability. It spells out financial rules, establishes procedures for transparency, and ensures voters remain in control of the fundamental structure of city government. By combining stability with adaptability, Marysville has built a government that can meet today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Marion’s 2018 Discussion
Marion has already tested the waters of this conversation. In 2018, I helped start the public discussion about whether our city should adopt a charter. At that time, I raised concerns about the limits of operating under state statute; limits on transparency, limits on accountability, and limits on our ability to structure government in ways that fit Marion.
That initial effort did not result in a charter being placed on the ballot, but it planted an important seed. The fact that we are still having this conversation today proves it was not just an abstract idea. It was the start of a movement that continued to grow. The demand for more local control has only become stronger in the years since.
Why This Matters for Marion
The experiences of Delaware and Marysville are not outliers. Across Ohio, more than 300 municipalities operate under charters. When you look specifically at cities (not villages), the majority are charter cities. Communities that want efficiency, transparency, and voter-driven accountability consistently choose the charter path.
For Marion, the benefits are clear:
- Service Delivery: We could adopt a government structure that ensures professional management, faster decision-making, and better coordination between departments. Outlining separation of duties among elected and appointed officials, and more.
- Transparency: A charter could require more than annual audits, open reporting, stricter bidding processes, and conflict-of-interest protections, all locked in by the voters. Mandated financial dashboards, such as the one I started in 2021 with “The Center for Community Engagement and Transparency”, offering real-time financial and demographic data insights.
- Voter Control: With initiative, referendum, and recall provisions, citizens would have more power to shape policy, overturn bad decisions, or remove officials who fail to serve the people. Term limits, term length, staggered elections, fundamental structural and policy changes can be made that provide foundational strength for growth and oversight.
These are not abstract promises. They are tools we can design ourselves and enshrine in our local constitution.
Marion deserves a government that fits Marion. Delaware and Marysville show us how a charter empowers communities to deliver better services, stay accountable to citizens, and remain flexible in the face of change. Our own history shows that this conversation is not new, we began it in 2018, and now it is time to see it through.
A charter is not about giving politicians more authority. It is about giving citizens more authority. It is about building a government that delivers results, opens its books, and answers the people at every turn. Most Ohio cities already trust their voters enough to adopt a charter. It is time Marion did the same.