Vote NO on Issue 16: Too Many Changes. Too Little Choice.

Madeira deserves modern administrative cleanup without surrendering historic protections or financial guardrails.---1. THE OMNIBUS BAIT-AND-SWITCH
* The Issue: City Council bundled over 100 changes spanning 14 separate charter articles into a single, take-it-or-leave-it ballot measure. This forces residents to accept controversial rollbacks just to get basic administrative updates.
* The Solution: Vote NO and demand Council bring these amendments back next year logically grouped by subject (Administrative, Zoning, Financial) so voters get a real line-item choice.2. WEAKENED FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT
* The Issue: Issue 16 removes the charter's fixed $10,000 threshold that currently requires City Council to formally approve mid-sized expenditures by ordinance. Eliminating this fixed cap allows the administration to execute larger purchases—like the recent $47,000 pocket park or the $15,000 holiday subsidy to the Chamber of Commerce—without triggering a mandatory public vote or Council review.
* The Solution: Retain strict local oversight. Introduce a binding council rule that mandates a public review window and official Council approval for any municipal capital project exceeding $25,000 to ensure taxpayer funds are spent transparently.3. ERASING HISTORIC PROTECTIONS
* The Issue: In 2014, 57.8% of voters passed Article XVI to protect the downtown Miami Avenue properties. Issue 16 strips these protections because the Hosbrook and Muchmore houses do not qualify for the National Register. This allows a simple Council majority to sell or redevelop them without another public vote.
* The Solution: Protect our historic downtown fabric. Do not allow the sale or redevelopment of these gifted assets without a resident-led master plan and transparent community workshops.4. FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP CONCERNS
* The Issue: Council is asking for expanded financial leeway while the city faces a potential $13 million water lawsuit liability with Indian Hill and has spent over $800,000 in taxpayer funds on legal fees battling residents. Furthermore, city investment returns dropped 51% due to poor treasury management, and the city hoards a 61% unassigned cash reserve.
* The Solution: The community must act as a fiscal watchdog. Deny expanded spending powers until the city addresses these massive liabilities and restores the earnings tax credit from 0.6% to 1.0% to relieve taxpayers.5. REDUCING LONG-RANGE PLANNING
* The Issue: The amendment deletes the current requirement forcing the Planning Commission to formulate and file a 5-year capital improvements program.
* The Solution: Retain independent citizen oversight over long-term capital projects rather than relying strictly on short-term executive budgeting.---COMING SOON: WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
We are rapidly building resources to help you protect Madeira's charter. Check back soon for:
* Free Yard Signs: Request a "Vote NO on Issue 16" sign delivered straight to your lawn or available for porch pickup.
* Downloadable Fact Sheet: A quick, printable page to share with your neighbors.
* Support the Campaign: Donation links to help us cover the wholesale costs of sign printing. (Any excess funds will be donated to a Madeira cause to be determined).
* Volunteer Hub: Find out how you can help distribute signs and spread the word at upcoming events and polling places.For questions, concerns, or to get involved, please reach out:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Cell / Text: 513-309-2678
🌐 Visit: TransparentMadeira.com---Paid for by Mark Lloyd, 7241 S Mingo Ln, Madeira, OH 45243