1. CITIZENS FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION 2014 WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

2. 2 Why a Charter Form of Government? Local Representation Home Rule Flexibility Lower Cost of Government Policy Formation WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

3. 3 Increase Number of Commissioners Expand from 3 Commissioners to 7, for better representation Create enough Commissioners to establish committees necessary for working groups to delve into issues with more intensity and report back to full board for action; however every district votes on every issue WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

4. 4 7 Districts Districts represent geographical areas to allow its Commissioner to convey the needs and concerns for that unique region and provide for fair representation There is no additional cost for 7 Commissioners Total salary for all seven(7) would be the same as it currently is for three(3) Each will make approximately $32,000 vs. $77,000 currently for the part-time position No fringe benefits for Commissioners, other than required by law (PERS) WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

5. 5 7 Geographical Districts Make sure everyone’s vote counts in Commissioner races Currently, county wide candidates need only focus on the high vote areas to get elected and re-elected Districts will foster better access between candidates and the citizens they represent Easier to attract candidates because they run in smaller districts where they are better known The reduce footprint will lower the cost of campaigning (Countywide- 302,000 vs. Districts- 43,000) Increase faith in government by being better informed through your local Commissioner, who will be more accessible to you WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

6. 6 Home Rule Ability to determine dozens of issues locally-not mandated by Columbus in a one size fits all Organizational Structure Job description Pay issues Benefit plans and rules Charter language County-Municipality interaction WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

7. 7 Modernize Government Fiscal and Legal officials will continue to be elected to act as watchdog on behalf of the citizens Make administrative functions fully accountable to Commissioners and County Administrator, therefore the people Appointed by Commissioners are continually evaluated—not just at four year elections Built-in checks and balances on a day to day basis—not just every four years WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

8. 8 Modernize Government Business & Administrative functions will be appointed by the 7 Commissioners instead of being elected Treasurer, Recorder, Coroner, Engineer, Clerk of Courts – will all be appointed positions by the 7 Commissioners Since the 2000 countywide election, these 5 positions had:  60 Opportunities to have contested positions 36 times ran unopposed 17 times had no candidate run for the position in the Primary Only 7 times have two candidates opposed each other  12% of the time there were contested positions  53 out of 60 times voters did not have a choice

9. WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM 9 Establishment of Human Resource Department Standardize County’s employment practices All employees will be hired through a central employment (HR) office. Centralizes hiring and follow Ohio civil service rules; this will provide equal opportunity for all Lorain County residents for any employment openings WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

10. 10 Not Reinventing the Wheel 1979 Summit County becomes first county in Ohio to operate with a charter government (Population 541,000) One elected executive with an 11-member County Council  Eight of those members elected from individual districts while the other three are elected at large 2009 Cuyahoga County successfully voted for a charter government One executive and an 11-member council  Sheriff, Treasure, and Clerk of Courts are appointed

11. WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM 11 Steering Committee Composition Public and private sector members Bi-partisan Included Former Commissioner and Auditor Township, City, and Village members WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

12. 12 Committee’s Timeline January 2013 a group of civic-minded individuals met to discuss how to improve county government March 2013 had open conversations with LCCC Public Service Institute and CSU Center for Public Policy to investigate 5-7-9 districts May 2013 had meetings with newspapers on the future of the project August 2013 completed Charter document and initial showcase at Lorain County Fair WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

13. 13 Mapping The Districts Approached Public Services Institute (PSI) at LCCC who referred us to Cleveland State University’s Center for Public Policy  LCCC no longer has the software to “analyze” census data WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

14. 14 Mapping The Districts Our Instructions to the Center for Public Policy:  Follow the state population rules -- equal +/- 5%  Create a minority majority district (36%)  Per the Voting Rights Act of 1965  Do not use political data to determine lines Compact districts-no gerrymandering No R or D districts on purpose Do not split any wards, if possible Minimize dividing of political subdivisions WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

15. 15 Choosing the Best Number of Districts 5 District plan did not comply with state election laws 9 District plan divided too many political subdivisions 7 was the best option WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

16. 16 Testing of 7 District plan once Chosen CSU’s Center for Public Policy tested the 7 District plan using past elections to make sure it represented Lorain County’s overall political landscape (Only after all other issues resolved—and only to make sure no unintended political issues) Used the following Elections:  Presidential Race 2008; Governor 2010; US Congress 2008; US Congress 2010; Ohio House 2008; Ohio Senate 2010; Ohio House 2010 WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

17. 17 Testing of 7 District plan once Chosen Democrat Voters Republican Voters District 1 61.2%38.8% District 2 58.1% 41.9% District 3 52.7% 47.3% District 4 68.2% 31.8% District 5 48.7% 51.3% District 6 81.2% 18.8% District 7 54.0% 46.0% Lorain County Overall60%40% WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

18. 18 Moving Forward August 2014 - collect signatures  Engage community groups through speakers Submit signatures to the Lorain County Board of Elections by the 2015 deadline Beginning January 2015 - Intense Community Conversation through: Speakers; Advertising; Seek Endorsements November 2015 - On the ballot in General Election WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

19. 19 Moving Forward 2015 - Commence building transition committees through: Citizens, County employees, and business community  A Transition Committee will decide the details of changing from the existing Statutory structure to the New structure  Charter calls for transition oversight authority made up of citizens May 2016 - Primary Election of Commissioners November 2016 – General Election of all Commissioners  Districts 1, 3, 5 & 7 have 4 year terms  Districts 2, 4, 6 have 2 year term (only first term) and run again in 2018 for 4 year terms January 2017 – Charter takes effect with 7 commissioners WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

20. 20 Lorain County Municipalities’ Structure WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM Most citizens enjoy municipal level charter government now  All townships, villages and cities in Lorain County are already Charter forms of government except for Lorain and Amherst

21. WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM 21 Summary 7 county districts will ensure local and diverse representation unique to each district More efficient use of tax dollars Flexibility to adjust locally without Ohio Legislature having to make changes in the state statute Better reflection of the needs of Rural, Suburban, and Urban neighborhoods WWW.7DISTRICTS.COM

22. 22 How can you help? Thank you for your time today and for your support of this important effort Please visit our website for more information or opportunities to volunteer: www.7districts.com Inform your friends and family of this important voters rights issue Election Day is November 3, 2015. Show your support and vote!