Wilmington Charter Hosts Trenton

Arassroots group of community members met at The Murphy Theatre on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 7pm–8pm for a public meeting to discuss what it might look like for Wilmington become a Charter City like 60% of other Ohio cities our size. The current Mayor of the City of Trenton, Ohio, Ryan Perry (R), attended to talk about the benefits of their city's charter and why he "loves" having a City Manager.

Like Wilmington, Trenton is a small, rural community. Trenton and Wilmington are also similar in size, as Wilmington’s population is roughly 12,000 and Trenton's population is roughly 14,000. Trenton adopted their city's charter in 1971 and has revised it with only minor changes since.

Meeting Agenda:

1. Introductions

2. Guest Speaker Q&A

3. Pre-Draft Preamble

4. Pre-Draft Table of Contents First Items

5. Ideas and Plan for Next Meeting

PREAMBLE EXAMPLES

1. Local Cities of Similar Size and Demographics

   1. Trenton, Ohio: We, the people of the City of Trenton, Butler County, State of Ohio, in order to secure for ourselves the benefits of local self-government under the Constitution of the State of Ohio, do hereby ordain and establish this Charter for the government of the City of Trenton, Ohio

   2. Tipp City, Ohio: We, the people, of the municipality of Tipp City, Miami County, Ohio, in order to secure and exercise all powers and benefits of self-government conferred by the Constitution of the State of Ohio do hereby ordain and establish this Charter for the government of the municipality of Tipp City, Ohio.

2. Local Cities of Frequent Comparison and Travel

   1. Lebanon, Ohio: We, the people of the Village of Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, in order to secure for ourselves the benefits of local self-government under the Constitution of the State of Ohio, do ordain and establish this Charter for the government of the municipality of Lebanon.

   2. Loveland, Ohio: We, the people of the City of Loveland, Ohio (hereinafter "City"), desirous of securing for our City and for ourselves and our children the benefits and advantages of self-government conferred by the Constitution and statutes of Ohio (hereinafter "the laws of Ohio"), do hereby ordain and establish this revised Charter (hereafter referred to as "Charter") for the government of the City of Loveland.

   3. Miamisburg, Ohio: We, the people of Miamisburg, Ohio, desirous of securing for our Municipality and for ourselves and our children the advantages of self-government conferred by the Ohio Constitution, do hereby ordain and establish the following Charter:

3. Local Large Cities

   1. Cincinnati, Ohio: We, the people of the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, in order to secure home rule, do adopt the following as the charter of our city:

Blank Space for Participant Ideas:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Example (Lebanon, Ohio):

ARTICLE I: INCORPORATION — FORM OF GOVERNMENT — POWERS

SECTION 1.01. INCORPORATION.

   The present municipality, as its limits are now or may hereafter be established, shall be and continue to be a municipal corporation of the State of Ohio in perpetuity, under the name of the Village of Lebanon. When the municipality shall, under the Constitution and laws of Ohio, become a city, it shall be known as the City of Lebanon.

   The provisions of this Charter shall apply with equal force to this municipality, either as a Village or as a city.

SECTION 1.02. POWERS.

   Except as prohibited by the Constitution of this State or restricted by this Charter, the Village of Lebanon shall have and may exercise all municipal powers, functions, rights, privileges and immunities of every name and nature whatsoever. The enumeration of particular powers in this Charter shall not be deemed to be exclusive, and in addition to the powers enumerated herein or implied hereby or appropriate to the exercise of such powers, it is intended that the Village shall have and may exercise all powers which, under the Constitution of this State or under the laws of the State of Ohio, it would be competent for this Charter specifically to enumerate.

SECTION 1.03. MANNER OF EXERCISING POWERS.

   All powers of the corporation shall be vested in an elective Council which shall enact local ordinances and resolutions, adopt budgets, determine general policies and appoint a Manager who shall see that the policies and legislation adopted by the Council are enforced. All powers of the corporation shall be exercised in the manner prescribed by this Charter, or, if the manner be not prescribed, then in such manner as may be prescribed by ordinance or by general law.

SECTION 1.04. FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

   The form of government provided under this Charter shall be known as the “Council-Manager Plan.”

1. Some Charter Cities combine ARTICLE I and ARTICLE II into one. Which is preferred?

   1. Lebanon, Ohio: “ARTICLE I: Incorporation, Form of Government, Powers”

   2. Tipp City, Ohio: “ARTICLE I: Name and Boundaries", “ARTICLE II: Form of Government”

2. Which naming of the next articles is preferred for Council, Mayor, and City Manager?

   1. Trenton, Ohio:

      1.  ARTICLE II. The Legislative Branch of Council

      2. ARTICLE III. Legislative Action

      3. ARTICLE IV. City Manager

   2. Loveland, Ohio:

      1. ARTICLE II. The City Council

      2. ARTICLE III. Actions of Council

      3. ARTICLE IV. The City Manager

   3. Lebanon, Ohio:

      1. ARTICLE II. The Council

      2. ARTICLE III. Ordinances and Resolutions

      3. ARTICLE VI: Village Manager

NEXT MEETING

1. Continue Pre-Drafting: Article(s) on Incorporation, Form of Government, Powers

2. Continue Pre-Drafting: Article on “definition” of City Council and Mayor (legislative). We will likely hold off on “powers” of City Council and Mayor until the following meeting.

3. Closing: Any ideas from participants? Ideas for guest speakers or topics?