Name: Vermilion voters approved measure they say is unconstitutional
Uploaded: 2025-11-15T04:02:49.047Z
Duration: 2 min 37 s
Description: The charter amendment, known as Issue 26 in Lorain County and Issue 6 in Erie County, created a requirement for voter approval of any proposed Vermilion tax increment financing (TIF) district.

The charter amendment, known as Issue 26 in Lorain County and Issue 6 in Erie County, created a requirement for voter approval of any proposed Vermilion tax increment financing (TIF) district.

Vermilion

Voters in Lorain and Erie counties recently approved charter amendments—Issue 26 and Issue 6—requiring that residents have a direct say in Vermilion's use of tax increment financing (TIF) for economic development. The measures were prompted by plans for a large housing development in the city, with supporters arguing that taxpayers should have a voice in how such projects are financed.

However, Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthover contends the amendments are unconstitutional because individuals outside the city were allowed to vote on a matter affecting the Vermilion City Charter. The mayor plans to challenge the measures in court, while proponents maintain that residents deserve the right to vote on tax-related issues and vow to continue their efforts if the legal challenge succeeds.

Vermilion voters approved measure they say is unconstitutional

And it was passed by voters, but now leaders in Vermilion say a ballot measure could be unconstitutional. Lorain County's Issue 26 and Erie County's Issue 6 require voter approval for Vermilion to use a specific economic development tool. News 5's Kathryn Ross explains what sparked the charter amendment and why it's now facing a legal challenge. Vermilion's summertime bustle is cooling down, but a post-election debate is heating up. I think there's no excuse for the city to use our tax dollars to fight against the will of the people. We've made it clear what we want. Voters in both Lorain and Erie counties approved Issue 26 and 6 this past election. This group of Vermilion neighbors and local attorney Gerald Phillips helped campaign for the measure, and Phillips drafted its language. Issue 26 was to give the people who were going to be affected most the ability to write to vote on it. The proposal to add an extra step in Vermilion's process of approving a tax increment financing district, or TIF. The economic development mechanism creates a separate fund with money generated from the value added by improvements. It helps fund public infrastructure. This is what prompted that proposed charter amendment in the first place. The city has been considering a TIF district for a development that would bring hundreds of new homes to this rural section of Vermilion. And proponents of that charter amendment say they want voters to weigh in on how that happens. You just want to put a development on it and want us to subsidize that development by $36 million. That's a misuse. But Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthover tells us the amendment itself is unconstitutional, and he plans to challenge it. People outside of the city of Vermilion were allowed to vote on something that was the Vermilion City Charter. That's, I mean, like you couldn't have people in England voting on an American constitutional matter. Forthover previously raised concerns that adding steps to development incentives could discourage growth, but he says his challenge has more to do with the language itself. What would you say to the people who say challenging this charter amendment goes against the will of the people who voted on it? Voting is a sacred right, but they were voting on what was essentially, to put it plainly, a bogus document. This group disagrees. They need the right to vote if they're being taxed, period. They're urging the city council not to pursue legal action, but say even if a challenge does win, they'd bring a similar issue back to the voters. In Vermilion, Catherine Ross, News 5.

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