EASTON, Pa. – Three measures to create new term limits in Northampton County’s home rule charter for some elected officials were introduced to Northampton County Council on Thursday.
The proposed amendments would limit the county controller to two consecutive terms, and the county executive to two terms total.
- Northampton County Council introduced measures Thursday to add term limits for the county controller, executive and commissioners to the home rule charter
- Like any home rule charter amendment, voters must ultimately weigh in on the proposals in a ballot question
- The council will hold public hearings on the proposals June 15
The council previously adopted an ordinance limiting its members to three consecutive terms. One of Thursday’s measures makes the restriction part of the home rule charter.
The same amendment also would reset the term limit clock for commissioners, potentially giving council members a one-time exemption from the term limits adopted in 2015.
While the controller and council members could seek office again after a break from the job — the limit applies only to consecutive terms — the executive would be restricted to two terms in total.
If Thursday’s proposals are adopted by the council, voters then will decide whether to enact the amendments in November’s general election. Each proposed limit would appear as a separate ballot question.
There will be a public hearing on the proposed amendments at council’s June 15 meeting.