A copy of the resolution, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Mayor Duncan explained that when Ohio voters go to the polls on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, they will be asked to vote on State Issue 1, entitled “Issue 1 To Reduce Penalties for Crimes of Obtaining, Possessing, and Using Illegal Drugs.” This is a ballot initiative that has been proposed as an amendment to the Ohio Constitution.

Proponents of State Issue 1 argue that this amendment would reduce the number of people incarcerated for non-violent drug crimes and increase the options and funding available for treatment of drug addiction. These may be worthy goals in the abstract, but the devil is in the details. A review of the details leads Mayor Duncan to agree with Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, who has said that passage of Issue 1 would have “catastrophic consequences” for Ohio.

Mayor Duncan shared the following problems with Issue 1: Issue 1 would greatly alter the sentencing laws for obtaining, possessing, and using drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, and other controlled substances. Ohio’s laws would become among the most lenient in the nation, and would tie judges’ hands from imposing punishment where necessary. Jail would not even be an option for an offender who possessed up to 19 grams of fentanyl – enough to kill 10,000 people. Issue 1 would reclassify felony drug possession cases as misdemeanors. Not only would this demean the seriousness of these offenses, but it would shift these cases from the jurisdiction of county Common Pleas Courts to local municipal courts that have neither the funding nor the specialized personnel necessary to address significant drug issues. County drug court programs, which have been very effective, would be made obsolete… while the burden on municipal courts would grow immediately and exponentially. Under Issue 1, drug treatment costs currently paid by the state would become an unfunded mandate to be paid by local governments that are already struggling to fund measures to combat the opioid crisis as a result of state budget cuts. Issue 1 is projected to generate savings of $100 million annually, but those savings will benefit the state only. Local governments will see significant increases in costs for treatment, probation, courts, and local jails – costs that local taxpayers will be required to fund. When – not if, but when – problems arise under Issue 1, they cannot be fixed legislatively because these changes will have been written into our state constitution. Addressing even minor problems will require another statewide initiative and election.

For all of these reasons, Mayor Duncan stated that State Issue 1 is bad for Ohio and bad for Oakwood, and the resolution being introduced will formalize Council’s opposition to this misguided ballot initiative.

Thereupon, it was moved by Mayor Duncan and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the resolution be passed.

Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:

There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said resolution was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.

Mayor Duncan shared that during his tenure on Oakwood City Council, this is the first time City Council has voted to take a position on a statewide issue.

Finance Report: Finance Director Cindy Stafford referenced a PowerPoint presentation and updated Council on the following topics: 2018 Financials through August 31, 2018; 3.75 Mill Property Tax Renewal Issue; Online Resources; Do-Not-Solicit List; and the Finance Department.

In regard to the 2018 financials through August 31, 2018, Mrs. Stafford referenced a chart for General City Services, excluding transfer, showing budgeted versus actual for receipts were: $12,357,823 and $9,104,604; and disbursements were: $13,402,240 and $8,364,678. Receipts