Council debates four-year mayoral and council terms; moves fail to shorten proposals

Council members spent a prolonged period on section 2.2 that proposes moving the mayor’s term from two to four years and — in the draft — extending council terms as well. Councilwoman Faye moved to retain a two-year mayoral term, saying shorter terms enable more frequent voter accountability; Councilwoman Gartner and others countered that four years gives an executive a longer runway for long-term planning.

Speakers cited local history and governance trade-offs: some said two-year cycles force near-constant campaigning and hamper long-range projects; others said four-year terms remove timely accountability and reduce voters’ opportunity to respond to performance. Several council members suggested the choice should go to voters on a referendum. After debate, a roll-call vote on keeping the mayor at two years failed; a separate motion to recommend two-year council terms also failed. The Committee will forward its recommendations and the recorded objections to the Charter Revision Commission.