Government 101

Home Rule Charter

New Albany residents approved the community’s first charter in 1992. Ohio statues govern only on matters that the New Albany Charter does not address. The charter is reviewed every ten years and any proposed revisions to the charter must be approved by the New Albany electorate before they can be enacted.

Current Charter

Government Structure

New Albany utilizes the Council-Manager form of government. This structure combines political leadership of elected officials with the managerial experience of an appointed, professional city manager who serves as New Albany’s CEO.

Mayor & Council

City Council is the legislative branch of government consisting of seven members, one of whom is the mayor. City Council and mayoral elections are held in November of odd number years and are nonpartisan. City Council members are elected by residents to four-year terms. City Council has been granted certain powers by the Ohio Constitution, the laws of the state of Ohio, and the New Albany Charter. These powers are exercised through the adoption of ordinances and resolutions.

Among other things, the charter gives City Council the authority to:

  • create and abolish departments, commissions, boards and committees;
  • audit accounts and records;
  • conduct inquires and investigations;
  • levy taxes;
  • enforce laws and regulations;
  • adopt budgets and appropriate funds;
  • adopt building and zoning regulations; and
  • hire a city manager.

The mayor, in addition to the powers, rights and duties of a City Council member, presides over meetings and often acts as the spokesperson to other governments. The mayor has no veto powers.

City Council generally meets at Village Hall the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Meeting agendas are posted below.

Services

General-Quality-of-Life-6-(5)New Albany provides a range of municipal services, including police protection, street maintenance, sewer and storm water infrastructure maintenance, snow removal, leaf collection, planning, zoning, and construction inspections. All New Albany residents receive their fire and emergency medical services from the Plain Township Fire Department, a separate entity from the City of New Albany. Health services are provided by the Franklin County Board of Health.

City Administration & Department Directors

The current city manager is Joseph F. Stefanov. He has served in this capacity since 2000 and is the longest serving city manager in New Albany’s history.

The city manager serves as the community’s CEO and is appointed by City Council to:

  • Provide organizational leadership.
  • Manage municipal operations.
  • Coordinate and direct the budget process.
  • Oversee implementation of city Council enacted policies and adopted budgets.
  • Ensure effective delivery of services to New Albany residents and businesses.
  • Advise City Council on policy matters and keep them apprised of municipal operations.
  • Direct department heads and consultants.
  • Implement all fiscal, planning, and infrastructure programs.

The city manager and other administrative staff making up the city manager’s office oversee the following:

  • human resources;
  • community engagement efforts;
  • special events;
  • engineering services;
  • Mayor’s court; and
  • legal services.

The city manager also appoints department directors for the city’s community development, finance, police, and public service departments. Current senior staff includes:

Joseph Stefanov City Manager 614-855-3913 e-mail
Adrienne Joly Administrative Services Director 614-855-3913 e-mail
Jennifer Chrysler Community Development Director 614-939-2254 e-mail
Ryan Ohly City Engineer 614-939-2247 e-mail
Bethany Staats Finance Director 614-939-2243 e-mail
Greg Jones Police Chief 614-855-1234 e-mail
Mike Barker Public Service Director 614-855-0076 e-mail
Josh Poland Chief Communications & Marketing Officer 614-855-3913 e-mail

Village Hall Hours and Observances

Village Hall is located at 99 W. Main Street and is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Public meeting notices are posted on this website and at Village Hall. Meeting times and dates may be subject to change. Please call 614-855-3913 to confirm.

New Albany's government combines elected leadership and a professional, appointed city manager acting as CEO.