Wilmington Charter

02/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our 6th town hall meeting tonight! It was great to learn about the local "home rule" powers and freedoms that come with charter city government from our new friends in the City of Mt. Healthy, OH, Mayor Jenni Moody, Councilman Joseph Roetting, and Councilwoman Peggy Rissel.

Watch the full public meeting recording at https://www.wilmingtoncharter.com/post/wilmington-charter-hosts-mt-healthy-at-the-murphy-theatre-on-february-10-2026

02/10/2026

Get involved with local government! Visit wilmingtoncharter.com to view our current "steering committee "members and upcoming public meeting schedule.

02/04/2026

Join us on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 to hear from Mt. Healthy about their city's local charter and "Mayor-Council-Manager" structure.

The City of Mt. Healthy is located in Hamilton County with a population of 6,996 (about half the population of Wilmington).

An interesting fact about Mt. Healthy's charter is that their City Council runs "partisan" (not "nonpartisan" like our other guests).

Come with constructive questions and an open mind!

WILMINGTON, Ohio — The Wilmington Charter Public Steering Committee will hold its sixth quarterly meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Murphy Theatre, 50 W. Main St.

01/12/2026

Join us on February 10th to hear from Mt. Healthy about their city's local charter and "Mayor-Council-Manager" structure.

The City of Mt. Healthy is located in Hamilton County with a population of 6,996 (about half the population of Wilmington).

An interesting fact about Mt. Healthy's charter is that their City Council runs "partisan" (not "nonpartisan" like our other guests).

Come with constructive questions and an open mind!

01/07/2026

The mayor for the City of Trenton, Ohio, Ryan Perry (R), says that their local charter's "Council-Manager" plan "is a great way to go because you're letting professionals actually run [administration], but you still have the oversight of [city] council at the same time."

Watch the full public meeting from August 19, 2025 at https://www.wilmingtoncharter.com/post/wilmington-charter-hosts-trenton-at-the-murphy-theatre-on-august-19-2025

12/28/2025

"From what I've seen, it might be a better use of taxpayers’ money to have a full-time administrator... They save the city a lot of money... A lot of what these people do is write grants and look for state and federal money," said Logan Rogers, Mayor of Tipp City Ohio at the Wilmington Charter Steering Committee Meeting on August 7, 2024.

Watch the full public meeting at https://www.wilmingtoncharter.com/post/wilmington-charter-hosts-tipp-city-at-the-murphy-theatre-on-august-7-2024

12/10/2025

The Mayor of South Lebanon, Linda Burke (R), joined the Wilmington Charter Steering Committee at the Murphy Theatre on September 4, 2024, to share how they adopted a local charter form of government in 2023. There general steps are as follows...

1. PUT THE ISSUE ON THE BALLOT

City Council votes to put the issue on the ballot (or residents submit a petition with 10% of voters in the last general election). Then, 15 candidates file to be part of the Charter Commission.

2. HAVE THE FIRST VOTE

Voters decided if a Charter Commission should be established. If yes, the Charter Commission has approximately 8 months to draft a charter which is then mailed out to all residents for review.

3. HAVE THE SECOND VOTE

Voters decide if the proposed charter passes or fails.

Watch the full public meeting at: wilmingtoncharter.com/post/wilmington-charter-hosts-south-lebanon-at-the-murphy-theatre-on-september-4-2024

12/04/2025

“I’m prejudiced to a city manager… I think it’s by far the best way,” stated Jim Blair (R), Washington Court House (WCH) Councilman, at the Wilmington Charter Public Meeting held at the Murphy Theatre on November 11, 2025. Blair, a two-term councilman and Air Force Veteran, spoke about WCH...

11/17/2025

🏛️🙋‍♂️🇺🇸 On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Republican City Councilman Jim Blair from the City of Washington Court House shared the benefits of becoming a Charter City and answered public comments at The Murphy Theatre (inside Charlie's Bar).

Councilman Blair discussed why he supports the "self-rule" of a Charter City government over the "state regulations" of a Statutory City government, as well as some learning lessons for Wilmington—such as "term limits" for City Council Members.

Wilmington Charter Hosts Washington Court House at The Murphy Theatre on November 11, 2025A grassroots group of community members met at The Murphy Theatre on November 11, 2025 at 7pm for a public meeting to discuss what it might look like for Wilmington become a Charter City like other cities our s...

11/04/2025

🏛️🙋‍♂️🇺🇸 City Councilman Jim Blair (R) from the City of Washington Court House, Ohio will be guest speaking and answering questions at the Wilmington Charter City Public Meeting on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 7pm to 8pm at The Murphy Theatre (inside Charlie's Bar).

Councilman Blair will share why he supports the "local control" of Charter City government over the "state control" of Statutory City government, as well as some learning lessons for a Wilmington's future Charter City.