Kenton to put charter issue before voters

By TIM THOMAS

Times editor

Kenton City Council, at its meeting Monday night, adopted an ordinance to submit to city electors in November the question of whether a commission shall be chosen to frame a city charter.

The legislation states the purpose is for providing a better governmental framework for Kenton.

“I challenge council to be forward-thinking,” said Councilman Chad Miller, the prime proponent of the change to a charter government.

His main point was the work of Safety Service Director Cindy Murray, who was selected by Mayor Lynn Webb. Murray came with an engineering background and Miller called her “the gold standard” for selecting future safety service directors based on the many projects she has secured, planned or proposed for Kenton.

There is no criteria now for mayors to select a safety service director. The council doesn’t not have the capability to vet future candidates. Miller envisions a charter commission giving council the responsibility to select a qualified safety service director.

Miller said the people he has talked to are in favor of the change. “They’re excited to be part of it,” he said.

“If we educate the community I believe (the charter) will pass 100 times over.”

Council voted unanimously to suspend the three-reading rule to enact a charter. That was followed by 5-1 vote to adopt the ordinance and put the question before city voters at the next regular municipal election on Nov. 4, 2025. Councilman David Beazley cast the lone dissenting vote. Councilwoman Robin Jones was ill and unable to attend the meeting.

The question is to be submitted in the following form: “Shall a commission be chosen to frame a charter?” This will be followed by the words “Yes” and “No.”

A separate question will be submitted to city electors to select a commission. It will read, “If a majority of City of Kenton electors vote in the affirmative to frame a charter, which of the following City of Kenton electors shall serve on the commission to frame the charter?”

The question will be followed by the names of city electors who have been nominated to serve on the charter commission with the instructors to electors of to vote for not more than 15.

If a majority of city electors vote on the primary question above in the affirmative, the 15 electors listed on the election ballot who receive the largest number of votes in favor of serving on the charter commission shall constitute the commission to frame the City of Kenton charter.

Nominations for individuals to serve on the charter commission shall be made by nominating petitions signed by not less than 25 persons eligible to vote at regular municipal elections, and filed with the Hardin County Board of Elections at least 75 days before the election.

If fewer than 15 qualified electors from Kenton have been nominated to serve on the charter commission, City Council shall nominate any qualified elector of the city to be added to the ballot.

If at any time the charter commission elected to frame a charter has fewer than 15 members, council may appoint additional qualified electors to serve as members so that the commission has a total of 15 members.

Within one year from the date of the charter commission’s election, the city charter so framed by the charter commission shall be submitted to the qualified electors of Kenton at any election to be held at a time fixed by the charter commission.

The law firm of Bricker and Graydon will be helping Kenton through the charter process. Miller said their projected fee will be $45,000 to $55,000.

He added if the charter is adopted, “We will have a government that is progressive and grows with the times.”