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Mayor withdraws proposed charter change on mayoral term limits after split among commissioners
Summary
Mayor Ed Diaz withdrew his proposal to place a mayoral term‑limits charter question on the ballot after commissioners expressed mixed views and some cited prior voter action; the mayor said he would revisit the item if consensus emerges.
Mayor Ed Diaz withdrew a proposed charter amendment on mayoral term limits (Item f) during the May 4 meeting after extended discussion about prior referenda and differing commissioner views.
The mayor framed the measure as restoring voters’ choice to decide whether term limits should apply to the mayor’s office (three consecutive elected terms with a four‑year hiatus) while removing term limits for commissioners. He said he brought the question forward to let the electorate decide, citing the city’s administrative needs and the continuity that experienced leaders can bring.
Several commissioners urged caution. One commissioner noted a prior referendum in which about 82% of voters had favored term limits and argued repeatedly returning the question to voters could be redundant. Other commissioners said they support voter review but wanted clearer language and more time for deliberation.
After the back‑and‑forth the mayor told the body he would remove the item from the agenda with no date certain, saying he preferred to bring it back when there is broader agreement.
