Taneytown council debates term limits and recall rules in workshop

Council members debated two related charter measures introduced for the council’s charter and code review: a term‑limits resolution proposing an eight‑year limit for mayors (two full terms) and a 12‑year limit for council (three full terms), and an amendment to remove the charter provision that requires council censure before a citizen petition for recall may proceed.

Proponents argued term limits reduce entrenched power and encourage fresh leadership; opponents said term limits should be a voters’ choice and warned about discouraging candidates in a small town. One councilor said he opposed limits, calling them ``bogus’’ and arguing voters should decide who serves.

On petition and removal procedures, the draft would allow citizens to initiate a recall petition without council censure but would include a higher signature threshold (discussed at 25%) and timing limits to prevent long, open‑ended petitions. Supporters said the change restores voter authority; critics warned it could be difficult to achieve and could be manipulated. The draft preserves council ability to remove an elected official in the narrow circumstance of a conviction related to official duties; members discussed if ethics or other serious transgressions should also be a ground for removal and whether state law preempts certain removal procedures.

Council did not adopt any charter changes at the workshop; the mayor said the charter/code review will proceed over 10 months with public hearings and any charter resolutions would ultimately be bundled for voter consideration after the 2027 election.