A.G. Gancarski
Term limits were imposed by voter plebiscite on the Jacksonville City Council decades back, yet Councilman Matt Schellenberg believes that institutional knowledge outweighs voter predilection.
To that end, he introduced — for the second time in just over a year — legislation to repeal two-term limits.
This would be for councilors, School Board members, and Constitutional officers — except for the Mayor.
The legislation cleared committees last February, but was pulled, as the referendum would have competed with the pension reform referendum on the August ballot, and the Best Bet slots referendum on the November ballot.
With those referendums in the rear view mirror, it’s all clear to bring back the bill.
The sub proposes three four-year terms, rather than the abolishment of term limits.
“In four years, do we change it to four, maybe,” Council VP John Crescimbeni quipped.
Councilman Tommy Hazouri wanted an amendment to exempt current office holders, and vowed to introduce it at a time of his choosing.
Councilman Greg Anderson said he’d vote in favor of the sub, but not in favor of the bill.
“We owe [Schellenberg] the opportunity to make his case,” Anderson said.
The committee moved the substitute version of the legislation for re-referral.
