city gov 101

In theory, home rule gives cities and villages the authority to govern and pass laws. In practice, the state has blocked city regulations on guns, plastic bags and more.

Who do City Council members and the mayor listen to when making decisions about the city? What about the non-elected officials who also help shape policy?

With enough signatures from city residents who are registered to vote, Cincinnatians can ask voters to approve a new ordinance or to repeal an ordinance that City Council passed.

For starters, most city departments are under the city manager's jurisdiction, and the manager hires each director.

You can learn a lot from a meeting agenda, but you have to know how to interpret it.

All "public bodies" in Ohio are required to conduct business in meetings that are open to the public, with some exceptions.

Cincinnati has 10 elected officials, but authority is shared with a non-elected official: the city manager.