VOTE411 Voter Guide

Fredericksburg Village Council members are elected officials responsible for the village s legislative functions, public policy, and financial oversight. Under Ohio law, village councils wield both legislative and administrative authority.Key Legislative duties include:Enacting ordinances and resolutions: The council creates and amends the village s codified ordinances to provide for public services and set local policies. Examples of ordinances in Fredericksburg cover property maintenance, such as requirements for removing weeds and trimming trees.Controlling the budget: The council is responsible for setting the annual budget, managing financial appropriations, and establishing tax rates for the village.Managing debt: Council members have the authority to incur debt on behalf of the village to meet its financial needs.Regulating land use: This involves creating and modifying zoning laws, as well as hearing and deciding appeals related to zoning.Executive and administrative duties:Oversight of services: The council ensures that village affairs and municipal services, such as water and sewer utilities, are administered capably.Personnel decisions: The council establishes village employment positions and sets employee salaries. In some cases, it may also vote on hiring and dismissing certain government employees.Contract approval: Council members approve contracts and bids for village projects and other official business.Appointing officials: The council confirms appointments made by the mayor and may appoint members to advisory boards and commissions.Reviewing administrative actions: The council can review and check subordinate decisions to ensure due process is followed.Public and community duties:Holding meetings: Council members must attend regular meetings to discuss village policies, hear citizen concerns, and vote on legislation.Communicating with constituents: They communicate with residents and business owners via calls, emails, or meetings to stay informed about community issues and ensure public interests are represented.Serving on committees: To assist with matters brought before the council, members research and evaluate issues through a committee system before making recommendations to the full council.Liaison to other government levels: They may represent the community in meetings with higher-level government officials, such as state or federal representatives.Qualifications for office:To hold office, a Fredericksburg Village council member must have lived in the village for one year and be an elector of the village.They are also prohibited from holding other public offices or having a personal interest in contracts with the village.