Lee County commissioners vote to put term‑limits amendment for constitutional officers on November ballot

LEE COUNTY — After a public hearing with several residents speaking for and against the measure, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to place a charter amendment on the November general election ballot that would limit service by county constitutional officers to 12 consecutive years, described in the draft as three consecutive terms and not counting terms in effect as of November 2026.

County Attorney (presenting the items) told the board the two agenda items were related: item 44 is a resolution required by chapter 100 of the Florida Statutes for special elections, and item 45 is a proposed charter ordinance to add term limits for constitutional officers. The attorney said the board could take the two matters jointly and act on them with a single motion and described the draft language as imposing a 12‑year cap.

Marcia Ellis, a Lee County resident, opposed the amendment during public comment, arguing the proposal is a “sideline diversion from the systemic issues actually paralyzing our county government.” Ellis said term limits “make the official officials less accountable, not more,” produce “lame duck terms” and risk stripping voters of experienced officeholders; she urged the board to focus on “meaningful ethics and structural reforms” such as campaign‑finance and lobbying rules instead.

Speakers who supported placing the measure on the ballot included Derek Shelder, who read a prepared list of arguments in favor of term limits and said they prevent concentration of power and encourage fresh perspectives; Michael Thompson, who framed the change as consistent with conservative values and praised commissioners for term‑limiting themselves in earlier action; and Tara Jenner, who identified herself as a state committee woman for the Lee County Republican Party and said incumbency and name recognition give candidates an advantage.

After public comment the board returned to the dais. One commissioner moved that items 44 and 45 be taken together and placed on the ballot; another commissioner seconded. Several commissioners voiced support, and the chair recorded “No objection. Motion carried.” The motion passed by voice; the record does not include a roll‑call tally in the transcript.

Next steps: with the board’s approval to place the measure on the ballot, the amendment will appear before voters in the November general election. The county attorney noted the ordinance as drafted does not itself remove sitting officers from office; it would place the question before voters, and the draft excludes terms in effect as of November 2026.

Authorities and procedural notes: the county attorney cited chapter 100, Florida Statutes, as the statutory authority relevant to the resolution for conducting the special election that would carry the proposed charter amendment to the ballot.