Cuyahoga County Issue 76 — City of Olmsted Falls: Proposed Charter Amendment

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Olmsted Falls voters

What it does
Shall Article VIII, Section 8.02 of the Charter of the City of Olmsted Falls be amended to provide that the Director of Finance shall have no less than six (6) years of accounting experience, preferably with at least three (3) such years working in municipal government accounting; and remove the requirement that the Director of Finance shall have at least three (3) years’ experience in municipal government accounting?
A YES vote means
The Olmsted Falls Director of Finance would need at least six years of accounting experience, preferably three in municipal government accounting, instead of a required three years in municipal government accounting.
A NO vote means
The Director of Finance would still need at least three years of municipal government accounting experience.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

  • Since a 2010 amendment, Charter Section 8.02(B) requires the Director of Finance to have either a CPA license with at least 3 years of municipal government accounting experience, or a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or a business-related field plus at least 6 years of accounting experience, including at least 3 years in municipal government accounting.
  • A person already serving who does not meet these qualifications is not made ineligible.

If it passes

  • The firm requirement of 3 years of municipal government accounting experience would be removed.
  • Candidates would still need a CPA license or a relevant bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of accounting experience, with 3 years in municipal government accounting listed as "preferably" rather than required.
  • It would take effect if a majority of Olmsted Falls voters approve it.

Who would notice

People who could be appointed Olmsted Falls Director of Finance, and the city's hiring for that post. It does not change any tax.

How it got here

The 2026 Olmsted Falls Charter Review Commission recommended it. City Council adopted Ordinance No. 37-2026 on June 23, 2026, as an emergency measure, to send it to the November 3, 2026 ballot; the ordinance says Council is obligated to submit the Commission's recommended amendments to voters.

Commission members said the current qualifications make it harder to find candidates and could keep out applicants whose finance experience is in the private sector.

Written by SpectrumVote from 4 linked sources (1, 2, 3, 4). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

Olmsted Falls City Council voted 6–0 on June 23, 2026 to submit this Charter Review Commission recommendation to voters. Council members noted that Council can approve or reject the Commission's proposals for the ballot but cannot change them. (Ordinance 37-2026)

According to a Charter Review Commission member at the meeting, the Charter now requires finance director applicants to have at least three years of municipal government accounting experience. The Commission proposed making that 'preferable' instead of required because it drastically narrows the applicant pool.

Put on the ballot by Olmsted Falls City Council, 6–0, June 23, 2026 (Ordinance 37-2026).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Cuyahoga County Issue 76 mean?
The Olmsted Falls Director of Finance would need at least six years of accounting experience, preferably three in municipal government accounting, instead of a required three years in municipal government accounting.
What does a NO vote on Cuyahoga County Issue 76 mean?
The Director of Finance would still need at least three years of municipal government accounting experience.
Does this remove the experience requirement entirely?
No. At least 6 years of accounting experience would still be required; only the municipal-government portion becomes a preference.
Why does this need a vote?
Commission minutes say the Law Director advised that removing a qualification from the Charter must go to voters.
What vote does it need?
A simple majority of Olmsted Falls voters.
How many votes does Cuyahoga County Issue 76 need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Cuyahoga County Issue 76?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Cuyahoga County ballot.

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