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Councilwoman Davidson brings term‑limits discussion to work session; council requests legal review
Summary
Councilwoman Davidson introduced a discussion about term limits for local elected officials; members debated pros and cons and asked the city attorney to advise in executive session on legal feasibility and next steps.
Councilwoman Davidson opened a policy discussion July 14 on whether the City of Easley should consider term limits for elected offices. She reviewed historical arguments pro and con, including references to the principle that regular turnover is part of representative government and to past state attorney general opinions on local term limits.
Davidson said she had shared legal research and wanted to put the topic on the table for initial discussion. Other council members offered differing views: some said long service can be an asset if voters continue to reelect experienced officials, while others said a cap (for example, a 12-year limit) might encourage fresh perspectives.
Several members asked what legal steps would be required to enact municipal term limits in South Carolina and whether any attorney‑general opinions or court rulings preclude local action. The city attorney said he preferred to provide legal advice in executive session and offered to analyze the issue and return with a recommendation. Several council members agreed to take up the matter in executive session along with the acceptable‑use policy.
No ordinance or formal motion to prepare an ordinance was adopted during the discussion; council directed staff and legal counsel to research legal authority and provide advice on whether and how term limits could be enacted locally.
