The Office of the 19^th Mayor
of the City of Norton

MAYOR

is located in the
City Administration Building at:

4060 Columbia Woods Drive
Norton, Ohio 44203 

Business hours are:
Monday through Friday,
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM 

 to the Web Page for the Office of the Mayor.  

I wish to thank all the people of Norton who supported me in my campaign to serve as Mayor! I will not forget all your help, and I will probably ask for help and advice during my term, in order to stay in touch with the people of Norton.

Norton is a desirable place to live, due to its family-friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, great safety forces, and easy highway access to anywhere. We are blessed with friendly people willing to help their neighbors, schools, churches, and their city by serving as employees, elected officials, or on the Mayor appointed Boards and Commissions groups. However, we deserve more and I feel we are on the verge of greatness, if we make the right moves.

In addition to my newly-elected position as Mayor, I also currently work as a Professional Engineer & Project Manager with CTI Engineers, Inc., a civil engineering consulting firm in Akron. We strive for “Practical Innovation, By Design” TM as we help governmental agencies and developers with their infrastructure needs. I have planned, designed, and assisted with funding for scores of projects throughout Ohio, for improvement and/or expansion of the storm and sanitary sewers, waterlines, roads, culverts and bridges.

Personal background:

• Resident of Norton for over 21 years

• Married to Julie (Meyers), a 1978 graduate of Norton H.S.

• Earned a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Akron, 1980

• Raised 2 daughters, Katie and Emily, both Norton grads now at the University of Akron

• Grew up a “Panther” (at Perry H.S. in Stark County), in the bands, and an Eagle Scout

Community Service History:

• Ward 2 Councilman from 1998 through 2001 & Council President in 2001

• City Engineer from 1993 to 1996

• City representative to AMATS (transportation planning agency) from 2004 thru 2007

• City RoadTAC (Technical Advisory Committee) in 2005 and 2006

• Norton-Barberton Merger Study Committee in 2002

• Norton Schools Facilities Planning Committee in 1999 - 2000

• Norton Youth Softball Assistant Coach from 1992 - 1999

• Norton Youth Girls Basketball Coach 1994 - 1995

The top challenges I see facing Norton, and how I will address them:

A. Confidence in our government leaders. I will work hard to restore our citizens’ confidence in City Hall, and make Norton a truly great city. I bring to the Mayor’s office my ability to plan ahead, work within a budget, analyze situations logically, and organize and lead a team toward achievement of a goal. I believe in treating our citizens fairly, and I will always remember that I was elected to serve the public. I will lead by example, and make the people and business owners in Norton proud. Also, I believe in the value of citizens’ input, as I have worked with many citizen committees on a number of issues in other cities, and I intend to utilize this valuable resource in Norton.

B. Economic Development. Retention and growth of stable, well paid jobs is an important issue for any city, but is particularly critical for Norton. Our City is overly dependent on its citizens for taxes to fund the City budget. We need to wisely invest in our infrastructure of roads, sewers and waterlines in order to attract businesses to this City. I have worked with many other communities on a variety of improvement projects, where they have utilized diverse funding mechanisms, and I bring this experience to help Norton with the critical economic development projects they need.

C. Balance our taxes and services. Government exists to provide services to the citizens in a superior fashion at a more economical cost than would be possible on an individual basis, and I believe the cost must be fair and in line with the value received. I will work to trim costs where possible, increase the level of outside funding, enter into regional partnerships where appropriate, and spur economic development in order to generate the revenue necessary for these services. I understand that our citizens expect City Hall to administer their tax dollars wisely, and I pledge to do so.

D. Sewer and Water. I helped to extend sewer and waterlines to business areas along Barber Rd., Wooster Rd., Cleveland-Massillon Rd. and Loyal Oak, and to residential areas of Krancz Rd., Caroline Dr. and Columbia Heights. Norton needs many more sewer and water lines, to attract businesses and to replace thousands of aging septic systems and wells. Also, our storm sewer system needs upgraded to handle the runoff and provide water quality improvement as mandated by the EPA. My background with these issues and my familiarity with the officials of Barberton and Summit County will undoubtedly prove to be very valuable as we make key decisions on sewer and water improvements in order to stimulate our economy, and protect our health and safety.

E. Safety. I support our Police and Fire & EMS safety forces, as both departments provide us with excellent 24/7 protection. I am grateful that our voters approved the Fire & EMS levy for an up-to-date facility and the equipment required to continue providing excellent fire fighting and EMS protection. Our Police Dept. has a history and familiarity with our community that is invaluable, and I am grateful that the voters decided we should not out-source this vital service.

Mayor David L. Koontz

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CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NORTON

 The Office of the Mayor is responsible for the following:
            (excerpted from the City of Norton Charter)

SECTION 2.06             EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS.
The Mayor shall: 

(a)    Be the chief executive officer of the Municipality. The Mayor shall supervise the administration of all the affairs of the Municipality and the conduct and administration of all departments and divisions thereof, except the Council, and as otherwise provided in this Charter. 

(b)    Be the chief conservator of the peace within the Municipality and shall see that all laws, resolutions and ordinances are enforced therein, except as otherwise provided in this Charter. 

(c)    Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, execute on behalf of the Municipality all authorized contracts, conveyances, evidences of indebtedness, and all other instruments to which the Municipality is a party, and shall, where required, attach thereto the official seal of the Mayor's office, which shall be the seal of the Municipality. 

(d)     Keep the Council advised of the condition and needs of the Municipality and shall recommend to the Council such measures as he or she may deem necessary or expedient for the welfare of the Municipality. 

(e)    Subject to the Civil Service provisions of this Charter, and except where this Charter provides that others shall perform such function, appoint and remove all directors of departments and all subordinate officers and employees in the departments. 

(f)      Be the official and ceremonial head of the Municipality. 

(g)    Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or required by Council.  (Amended November 8, 1994)