Council adopts eight‑year term limit policy for advisory boards, with exceptions

Volusia County Council voted unanimously May 5 to adopt a county‑wide policy limiting service on many advisory boards to eight consecutive years, with council discretion to waive the limit in hard‑to‑fill cases.

Assistant County Attorney Chris Ryan reviewed current board terms and legal constraints, noting several boards are governed by state statute or charter provisions that limit the county’s ability to impose term limits. Some boards (for example, code enforcement or technical commissions) require specific professional qualifications and have historically been difficult to fill. Council resolved to exempt the Personnel Board from the policy (charter change would be required to amend) and to allow a 10‑year cap for the Educational Facilities Authority. The policy also permits council waivers where recruitment is constrained.

Councilman Jake Johansen proposed the eight‑year cap; Vice Chair Matt Reinhardt seconded. After discussion about statutory constraints and board staffing challenges, the motion passed 7–0.

Why it matters: Term limits aim to refresh volunteer leadership and provide a predictable cycle for recruitment, while the waiver mechanism and carved‑out exceptions address operational boards that need continuity or specialized expertise.

What comes next: Staff will draft implementing ordinances/resolutions, identify which boards must be handled by ordinance vs. resolution (depending on how they were created), and return for formal adoption.