MUNCIE, IN — Jeff Howe, who has served as Muncie’s “acting executive” while Mayor Dan Ridenour recuperated from surgery, has vetoed an ordinance adopted July 6 by Muncie City Council.
The ordinance, adopted unanimously by the council, would create an “overlay district” to oversee development and projects in the McKinley neighborhood east of Central High School.
In an email to council members, Howe said he “supported the intent behind the proposal and appreciate the work that went into developing it.”
“My hope is that, with additional review and revision, the ordinance can be brought into a form that is clearer, more consistent, and better suited for implementation.”
Howe wrote that his concerns “relate primarily to how the ordinance interacts with existing city ordinances and administrative responsibilities, as well as certain provisions that may need to be aligned more closely with recent changes in Indiana law.”
In a news release issued late Tuesday, council member Nora Powell noted both Ridenour and Howe had written letters in favor of the overlay district.
“City council will have the opportunity to override Howe’s veto with a two-thirds vote at the (Aug. 3) meeting,” she added.
Powell is a Democrat. Ridenour and five of the nine council members are Republicans.
The council suspended meeting rules to both introduce and adopt the ordinance at last week’s meeting.
Ridenour, who underwent surgery for prostate cancer on June 2, appointed Howe as “acting executive” on May 29.
The mayor returned to work at City Hall on Wednesday.
In a Facebook video released on Wednesday, Ridenour said the ordinance adopted last week by counsel contains “several items that conflict with Indiana code.”
The mayor said city attorneys had recommended changes to be made in the ordinance’s wording.
“We’re excited to have this happen,” Ridenour said of the overlay district. “We hope in August that this gets approved with these adjustments.”
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Acting Muncie mayor vetoes district plan for McKinley neighborhood
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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By Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press | USA TODAY Network
