Agenda Item Title:
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Council Member Barker requesting Council discussion and support to initiate a code amendment requiring term limits for City elected officials.
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Presenter:
Council Member Barker
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Description/Background:
Council Member Barker proposes to amend the Sandy City Election include to include a term limits provision. Term limits encourage new residents to become involved in the leadership and governance of their community. Newly elected officials can often bring fresh perspective and new ideas for City legislation and administration, while also helping to maintain accountability. The proposal models the presidential term limit, which is widely accepted and understood by voters.
Key elements of the term limits code amendment would include:
1. Two, 4-year terms for each City elected official (Mayor and Council Members). This models presidential term limits and makes sense to voters.
2. An effective date of January 1, 2018. Elected officials who have served a total of 8 years as of the effective date would not be able to run for another term. Elected officials who have served less than 8 years as of the effective date may run for a single 4-year term.
3. The 8-year limitation on Council Members would apply to total time on the Council regardless of whether the elected official held a district or at-large seat.
4. The appointment of a mid-term vacancy counts as a full term only if more than half the term is served by the appointee. If less than half the term is served, the appointee's time filling the term does not count against the 8-year term limitation.
5. If a vacancy occurs at election because no person files for office against an incumbent whose 8-year tenure as expired, the City Council may not appoint the incumbent to fill the new term.
6. Individuals who have been previously "termed out" may serve again in a previously held elected office for two, 4-year terms, after a 4-year break in elected service. No 4-year b...
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