Akron mayor, council president propose extra city council election be eliminated, raises limited

AKRON, Ohio - Higher raises for city officials than tax-payers and multiple council elections may soon come to a halt in Akron.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and Council President Marco Sommerville are asking city council Monday for permission to put a proposed city charter amendment on the ballot that would eliminate one council member election and limit raises for council members and the mayor.

Plusquellic and Sommerville said electing ward and at-large council members at the same time would cut city costs and save taxpayer money.

The charter amendment would also limit raises for the mayor and council members to the amount a private tax-paying industry worker would receive in a calendar year.

“If the people who pay their taxes aren’t getting raises, then the mayor and council members in the future shouldn’t either,” Sommerville said.

If the council approves the proposal, the charter amendment will be voted on at the next city-wide election in November.