Government
Delaware's Charter, or "constitution," was approved by voters in 1951 and went into effect January 1, 1954, establishing the Council-Manager form of government. The powers of the City are for local self-government under the Home Rule provisions of the Ohio Constitution and statutes.
All legislative powers are vested in the Council, which consists of seven members, four elected on a non-partisan basis from four wards and three at large, for staggered four year terms. The Council elects one of its members to se
rve as Mayor for a term of two years. The Mayor presides at meetings of Council and is recognized as the official head of the City for ceremonial purposes, by the Governor for military purposes and by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process. The Mayor retains his or her vote on Council. A Vice Mayor is also chosen by the same method for a two-year term and acts in the absence of the Mayor.
The Council appoints the City Clerk to keep the journal and records of Council and other duties as they may require. Throughout the existence of this Charter, the Clerk has been a part-time position without additional duties assigned by the Council or the City Manager.
The Council also appoints the City Manager as chief executive and administrative officer of the City. All other administrative appointments are the responsibility of the City Manager, with exceptions according to the Charter and Ohio civil service provisions.
For more information about City Council, visit here.
Organizational Structure
The City Manager works closely with a management group of key personnel, including the Economic Development Coordinator, the Administrative Services Coordinator, and the Airport Manager. The City Attorney is also appointed by the City Manager and works closely with the Manager.
The Police Department, with 47 sworn officers, embraces a community-oriented policing style appropriate to this home town environment. Crime rates are low with no particularly alarming trends. Theft and domestic conflict are the most prevalent crimes. The Chief is appointed following civil service testing. The Department is located in the Justice Center, along with the Municipal Court and the Prosecutors. There is a 5-day holding facility with modern, on-view cells and secure passages for moving detainees into and throughout the building. Dispatch of approximately 70,00 calls annually is provided by a 9-1-1 public safety answering point that serves both the Police and Fire Departments.
The Fire Department is a fully professional department that earns an ISO rating of Class 4. It provides emergency medical service. Of 37 Firefighter/EMTs, 18 are qualified as paramedics. The Department is also the core of services for a cooperative County-wide hazardous materials response effort, providing the first response and evaluation of HAZMAT incidents. Members are fully trained in the incident command system. The Central Station is downtown, adjacent to the high value, high-risk downtown buildings and the properties of Ohio Wesleyan University. A substation was opened in April 1998, adjacent to the industrial parks. The largest apparatus in an 85 -foot aerial platform. The Fire Department also has an additional two part-time, paid-on-call positions since 1998. These will be professionally trained firefighters who are employed with other regional fire services.
The Public Works Department includes divisions for street maintenance, the refuse collection utility, and city vehicle maintenance. The Public Works garage and offices are adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant. Storage space has recently been expanded, but this location may be required for expansion of the plant, entailing a relocation of public works facilities.
The Engineering Department accomplishes much engineering design and inspection in response to community growth. The City employees two registered engineers other than the Director.
The Utilities Department includes water and sewer systems. Water is provided from production wells and is stored in elevated tanks. Additional well resources are currently being flow-tested and promise to be valuable new sources. The Wastewater Treatment Plant handles about 4 million gallons of daily flow, using activated sludge as secondary treatment, chlorination of the effluent and land application of solids.
The Planning and Community Development Department monitors the Comprehensive Plan, provides zoning and subdivision control and responds to applications before the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. The department employs an associate planner, a chief building official, two secretaries, four building and code enforcement officers and a city zoning technician.
The Recreation Services Department plans for the development of park properties and programs a full variety of recreation, enrichment and educational activities.
The Finance Department has responsibility for the treasury, income tax, utility billing, payroll, accounting and budget control.
Boards and Commissions
For a comlpete listing of Boards and Commission members, see the Boards and Commissions page.
Boards and Commissions established by Charter or by Ordinance include the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Committee, Civil Service Commission, Airport Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Shade Tree Committee
The City Council has established Committees of Council for oversight in the areas of Public Works, Finance, Parking and Safety, and the Airport.
The Planning Commission carries out local planning and zoning review and responds to the Ohio statutes that enable local zoning. The Planning Commission acts as the referral and review body regarding all applications related to zoning and development approval. It also serves as the Platting Commission for review and approval of industrial building applications and other reviews referred by Council. It has the responsibility to update the official City Plan with respect to the physical development of the City and the requirements for services and facilities, rights of way, housing, neighborhood facilities, open space and "other conditions of wholesome living or work".
The Civil Service Commission is appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by Council. It has the responsibility for testing merit and fitness and listing for hire or promotion all classified (non-administrative) employees of the City according to the general laws of the State of Ohio.
The Historic Preservation Committee is an advisory board to the City Council on policy respecting the historic value of buildings and places in the community. The Board seeks to protect and preserve the value, appearance and use of property to maintain the high quality of community development, according to historic standards and criteria.
Employment
The City employs approximately 270 full- and part-time employees. There are seven bargaining units certified by the Ohio Public Employee Labor Relations law:
- Firefighters and command officers in the IAFF
- Police officers in an F.O.P.
- Police command officers in an F.O.P.
- Police records and dispatch employees in an F.O.P.
- Public Works, Underground Utilities and Parks employees represented by a local Association
- Clerical and finance employees represented by AFSCME
- Water and wastewater employees represented by a local Association
For more information on City employment, click here.
