NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The statutory Nelsonville City Council met at Hocking College on April 24 to repeal five ordinances passed by the other Nelsonville City Council that operates under the city charter.
“The charter council is not a true legal council, but it’s acting on behalf of the city,” statutory Council Clerk Greg Smith said. “It’s not appropriate.”
After approving previous meeting minutes, the statutory council passed ordinances reversing six recent actions by what it calls the “holdover” council:
- Repealed a 3% increase in sewage rates Nelsonville residents, which would take effect June 1, 2026.
- Repealed emergency appropriations for Nelsonville’s pool.
- Repealed city staff appointments and wages for 2026, including amending the pay scale for the city clerk.
- Repealed an amendment of the 2026 emergency appropriation ordinance.
- Repealed an ordinance appropriating $16,125 for 2026 membership in Athens County Economic Development Council.
- Repealed appropriations of $601,736 for the Nelsonville Square and a $25,660 payment to Wise Economy.
Member Jessica Hollenbaugh was not in attendance.
The ordinance reversals highlight the ongoing dispute between Nelsonville’s two councils, both of which claim to hold legal power in the city. The statutory council was elected in November 2025 in accordance with Issue 23, the 2024 ballot initiative abolishing the city charter. That measure passed with 70% of the vote.
After the charter council’s legal efforts to overturn Issue 23 failed, it repealed the measure in August 2025 — too late to change the November 2025 ballot. The issue remains pending in both Athens County Court of Common Pleas and with the Fourth District Court of Appeals.
Nelsonville’s statutory council meets at 7 p.m. the first and second Monday of each month at The Lodge at Hocking College, 15770 SR 691, Nelsonville. Its next meeting is May 4.
