Issue 3: Civil Service Amendment
City of Sandusky
Official Ballot Language
This is the exact text that will appear on your ballot
Amend Section 27 of the Charter of the City of Sandusky to allow the Civil Service Commission to have all the powers of self-government permitted by the State of Ohio therefore permitting use of an open eligibility list and allowing for a more efficient hiring of employees such as police officers.
Proposed Change
This amendment would give the Civil Service Commission "all the powers of self-government permitted by the State of Ohio," specifically allowing the use of open eligibility lists. With this system, candidates who pass civil service exams and screenings would remain eligible for hiring for an extended period, rather than expiring after a short time. When positions open, the city could draw from this ongoing pool of qualified candidates rather than waiting 6 months to conduct new testing rounds.
The Civil Service Commission would recommend new rules to the City Commission, who would vote on adopting them. For example, a top student graduating from a police training academy could be hired immediately upon graduation, rather than having to wait for the next testing cycle.
Arguments For
- Addresses urgent police staffing shortages - city hasn't filled budgeted positions
- Last eligibility list had only 2 candidates (vs. Cleveland's 10,000)
- Reduces 6-month hiring process that causes candidates to take other jobs
- Cleveland and Beechwood already use this system successfully
- Still maintains merit-based civil service selection process
- Aligns with Ohio home rule authority for local self-government
- Enables police to staff new community safety initiatives
Arguments Against
- Could reduce opportunities for new applicants
- May favor those who test well earlier
- Questions about how long lists should remain valid
- Potential for lists to become outdated
- Changes established civil service protections
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