Four Cleveland city council members are calling on the council president to reschedule a meeting in the hopes on the Nov. 7 ballot.
The referendum would ask voters whether they support the city's plan to spend tax dollars on renovating Quicken Loans Arena. The city council clerk calling for a referendum. But the Ohio Supreme Court ruled this month that the city must accept the petitions.
The battle now is about timing and the city's charter. The charter requires a referendum to be held at least 60 days after the council clerk notifies the council at a regularly scheduled meeting. That's why four council members 鈥� including Jeff Johnson, who鈥檚 running for mayor -- want the council president to move up next month's meeting to Sept. 6.
"You went down there; you caused the delay; you have to find a solution to this that doesn't cost the people any more money," he said.
If the issue isn't on the ballot in November, the city would have to hold a special election. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections estimates that would cost taxpayers roughly $760,000.
鈥淣ov. 7 you'll have more voters. Special elections, you'll have less voters. We want as many voters as possible to vote on this thing. And let us not ignore that we're talking about $700,000. Where's the money gonna come from?鈥� Johnson said.
