Boerne commission asks staff to draft ballot language to move council terms to three years

The Boerne Charter Review Commission voted Nov. 19 to ask city staff to prepare ballot language asking voters whether to change municipal council terms from two years to three.

Chair (Speaker 1) said the group should "move forward with Mick to put together the department language to put this on the ballot for the May election." The commission called for draft wording to be circulated to members for review at the next meeting before the proposal is presented to the City Council.

Supporters said three-year terms would give newly elected members more time to learn the job and to see projects through without immediately returning to campaign mode. "It gives you an extra year," said Speaker 9, arguing the longer term provides "breathing room to not have to worry about that and give people who wanna get involved more opportunity to actually get some stuff done in their first term." City staff (Speaker 5) said longer terms could reduce frequent onboarding and repeat training burdens.

Opponents cautioned that longer terms reduce how often voters can remove officials. Speaker 8 said the proposal "demonstrates a lack of faith in voters" and warned longer terms could entrench incumbents; Speaker 2 countered that without some protections "what you're going to invite is special interest money" and said a staggered three-year cycle reduces the chance that a single election could flip a majority.

Commissioners discussed recall and vacancy mechanics. Speaker 3 confirmed the charter contains recall provisions and staff and members clarified that, under longer terms, state rules can require special elections rather than appointment in many cases. Members also cited prior work: Speaker 2 noted a 2020 Charter Commission had previously recommended three-year terms and that a similar measure had nearly passed the voters.

The commission’s action on Nov. 19 was procedural: it directed staff to draft ballot language and to return with suggested wording. Chair Speaker 1 called for a voice vote and commissioners replied "Aye." The commission scheduled a follow-up review of the proposed text before a planned January presentation to council and a possible May ballot placement.

The commission did not adopt a final charter amendment at the meeting; any change would require voter approval after the City Council orders the election.