Charter commission approves Article 3 after debate over term limits

The Anna Charter Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend approval of proposed Charter Article 3, which sets term limits for city council and mayor.

Commissioners spent much of the discussion on whether to allow three consecutive four-year terms — a 12-year maximum — or to keep a two-term (eight-year) limit. Supporters of keeping the two-term limit said that permits turnover while still allowing elected officials time to complete projects; supporters of a third term argued that a third term would let officials see larger projects through to completion. Commissioners also discussed whether limits would be lifetime or only consecutive terms, and whether an official could run again after a break in service.

Legal staff told commissioners that state law does not regulate municipal term limits and that as a home-rule city the charter may set its own rules. Commissioners clarified that the draft language, as written, imposes consecutive-term limits rather than a lifetime bar: an official may serve the stated consecutive terms, then step away and run again later. Commissioners noted the different ways mayoral and council service could be combined under the draft language (for example, sequences of council and mayoral terms that could extend total years served). Several commissioners said they prefer a two-term consecutive limit with a break before running again; others favored the flexibility of a third term.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of Article 3 in its entirety; the motion was seconded and approved on a roll call vote. Commissioners recorded as voting yes included Commissioner Iniesta, Commissioner Sacks, Commissioner Morrison, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Norwood, Commissioner Sell, Commissioner King Bell, Commissioner Stewart, Commissioner Bridal and one additional affirmative from the presiding officer. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission will include the approved language in the redline to be sent to commissioners ahead of the next meeting and will finalize the charter ballot language in a subsequent session.