NELSONVILLE, Ohio — At its May 8 meeting, the committee overseeing Nelsonville’s transition from a charter to a statutory form of government proposed a possible solution for the “December problem” — one-month terms for elected city officials.
The Nelsonville Ad-Hoc Advisory Commission faces mounting pressure to figure out how to transition Nelsonville’s city charter government to a statutory form of government. Currently, the city has no clear legal path to continue operations after most of the council members’ terms expire on Nov. 30.
In 1995, when the city transitioned from a statutory government to its own charter, officials included a section about transition provisions that allowed the government, as well as the city, to continue operating.
However, Issue 23 — the ballot initiative passed in November 2024 that abolishes the city charter and establishes a statutory form of government — provides no plan for a transition period, which could leave Nelsonville stranded in December.
The committee wants Nelsonville City Council to pass a resolution submitting positions with one-month terms to the Athens County Board of Elections for the Nov. 4 general election. The individuals chosen would serve until the terms of new officials begin on Jan. 1.
Under the current charter government, the city council hires a city manager and appoints a law director. Without the charter, both the mayor and the law director would be elected positions. Only one candidate has filed for the mayoral position; no candidates have filed for law director, who law must be a resident registered to vote in Nelsonville and be licensed to practice law in Ohio.
Also at the May 8 meeting, committee chair Reid Courtney addressed the failure of Issue 4 in the primary election just two days before. The issue aimed to create an office of the mayor, while also retaining the city’s charter — a form of government similar to the city of Athens.
About 54% of residents who cast their ballots in the May 6 primary election voted against Issue 4.
“I think that a lot of the public discussion, public dialogue that preceded Tuesday’s primary shows that it is really hard to communicate clearly to voters what [an] issue does,” Courtney said.
In a three-hour long meeting April 28, the council heard from several residents who were confused by Issue 4.
Anne Judy, a resident of Nelsonville, asked why Issue 4 was necessary since voters overwhelmingly passed Issue 23.
“You’re saying that if people vote ‘yes’ on this proposed [amendment], then there will not be a mayor,” Judy said.
Several council members immediately corrected the claim. Council member Nic Joseph Saul clarified that Issue 4 would create a mayoral office and would eliminate the city manager’s office.
“I just want to check in, because you’re looking at me like that doesn’t make sense,” Joseph Saul said.
“No, it doesn’t,” Judy said. “That’s why, I think, people are confused.”
Council members explained that although Issue 4 would repeal Issue 23, the city would still be electing a mayor and a new council.
“We’re going to a mayor one way or the other,” council member Opha Lawson said. “Whether we do it under the statutory or whether we do it under the charter.”
Council President Gregg Clement reaffirmed that by keeping the charter form of government, Nelsonville will maintain home rule, the right to “exercise all powers of local self-government” — including establishing qualifications for council members, recalling of elected officials and regulating the civil service. The failure of Issue 4 means that Nelsonville’s operations will be regulated by the state.
Fred Holmes, the newly hired city manager, said the city is running well, despite the political turmoil and state of the city government.
“I don’t think the citizens know how well this is being run,” Holmes said.
The ad-hoc committee also wants to create an education campaign for Nelsonville residents who may be confused about the future of the government.
“In America, we get the government we deserve,” Courtney said
The advisory commission is hosting a town hall for city employees on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 a.m. in council chambers to discuss the government transition.
The League of Women Voters of Ohio, and Athens County, are also hosting a town hall on Thursday, May 29, at the Nelsonville Public Library, for Nelsonville residents to provide input regarding the development of city voting wards.
The ad-hoc committee’s next meeting is Wednesday, May 21, at 6 p.m.
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