Evendale's current charter requires officials to request public bids on projects costing $10,000 and above, but state law has increased the maximum for unbid contracts to $25,000.

Village officials want voters in the community of 3,090 residents to amend the charter to follow the limits set by the state.

"There's not a lot to it other than just keeping up with the most efficient way to get things done," said Jack Cameron, administrative assistant to Mayor Don Apking.

If approved, the amendment would save the village time and money, Cameron said, because officials would not be required to go out for public bids on projects less than $25,000. He said officials would still solicit bids on projects under that amount, but wouldn't be required to follow the state's public bidding law.

Public bidding is often time-consuming and expensive, Cameron said. Municipalities are required to advertise the project for no less than two and no more than four weeks. They then have to obtain an engineer's estimate to set the price of the project. Sealed bids are then opened at a specific time and place.

"I'm in support of it because I think it's good business," said longtime resident Jim Cole.