Should there be “term limits” for County Commissions across the state? That’s something that will come up for discussion next week in Topeka.
County Commissioner Dan Deming believes there should be term limits for county commissioners, but as it stands now they can’t even put the idea before voters without legislative approval.
He tells Eagle Radio that he tried to get something going with the legislature two years ago and nothing happen with the proposed legislation, but apparently is being revived this year. He says he along with former Hutchinson City Councilman Ron Sellers, who is also in favor of the idea, will be testifying before a hearing on Tuesday. The idea is to let each county in the state decide what term limits they want voters to consider. He says many cities governments already have term limits including the city of Hutchinson. He says cities have had term limits since 1994 when 85% of those voting agreed to a limit of two consecutive 4-year terms for those elected from a district and a three consecutive two-year terms for those elected from the city at large.
Deming says, “term limits will assist in providing more focused service and lead to more citizens with fresh ideas and open minds to serve. Sellers says, “after a few years of elected office, you lose your ability to come up with interesting new ideas to challenge staff.”
Both agree that every four years, commissioners have to run for re-election, but believes its hard for a challenger to over come the name recognition of an incumbent.
The bill before the legislature would limit service by commissioners to two consecutive four-year terms or a total of eight years. But, Deming says they would have no objection to placing a three term or 12-year limit, if those are the wishes of the committee. Another option says Deming would be to allow each county commission choosing to put the issue before voters to select the number of terms without any specific limit to the bill. Both Deming and Sellers will address the committee on Tuesday.
The legislation in Topeka has been introduced by State Representative Steve Becker of Buhler with a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday before the House Local Government Committee.
Even if the legislature goes along with the two’s desire, the issue would still have to be put before Reno County voters to decide if term limits for County Commissioners is desired.