Government

Government Overview

The Village of Bluffton, incorporated on July 31, 1861, operates as a statutory Village under the Ohio Revised Code. The Village Council is comprised of six Council Members elected at large by the citizens of the Village. Each Council Member is elected to a four-year term. The Council serves as the legislative body for the Village. The Mayor serves as the Chief Elected Official for the Village and is elected to a four-year term and presides over Village Council meetings but does not vote on issues before the Council unless there is a tied vote. The Mayor makes appointments to Council Committees and volunteer boards and commissions. Additionally, the mayor is the chief conservator of the peace in the Village and the director of public safety.

The Village operates under the Council-Manager form of government whereby the Village Administrator is appointed by the Village Council and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor and Council. The Village Administrator carries out the policies and procedures set forth by the Village Council and manages the day-to-day business of the Village. The Chief of Police is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Village Council.

The Village’s Fire and EMS Departments are volunteer departments under the direction of a Fire Chief and an EMS Chief that are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Village Council.