Commission considers expanding term limits for Stow City finance and law directors

The Charter Review Commission reviewed proposed amendments to term limits for the city’s elected finance director and law director, and commissioners said the change would aim to attract and retain qualified candidates.

Staff presented draft language that would read: “With the exception of completing an unexpired term, the finance director and the law director shall serve no more than three consecutive four‑year terms in the same elected office and no more than a total of 14 consecutive years.” The draft also notes a two‑year ineligibility period after disqualification by term limits.

Commission members discussed career-path differences between the offices. One commissioner said law directors often move on to judicial or other political careers, while finance directors frequently are later‑career professionals; commissioners worried that an eight‑year limit could deter candidates from seeking the finance director role. Several members said a three‑term (12‑year) option, and the 14‑year ceiling in the draft, would provide greater continuity.

Members asked staff to compile historical tenure data for both officeholders — specifically when previous law and finance directors reached (or did not reach) term limits — so commissioners could address whether past turnover supports the change. One commissioner asked whether anyone has actually reached the existing term limit; staff and members indicated that since term limits for those elected positions began, no recent officeholder had yet been forced from office by term limits but that some left for other positions.

No formal vote was taken. Commissioners agreed to hold the amendment until they receive the requested historical tenure information and to return the item for further consideration.