Council Term Limits Discussion Coming

Councilman David Marks said Monday he plans to make good on a 2010 campaign promise and introduce a bill limiting future council members to three terms.

Marks, who is ending the first year of his first term, said he will introduce the bill some time after Jan. 1 but "before budget time," which typically begins in April.

"I campaigned on it and campaigned on it clearly," said Marks, a Perry Hall Republican. "I think the others deserve an opportunity to decide the issue for themselves."

Currently, council members are not limited to the number of four-year terms they can serve.

The longest serving councilman was Vince Gardina, who ended the last of his five consecutive terms in December of 2010.

County executives are limited to two four-year terms.

Marks said his bill would limit council members to three terms beginning with the members elected in 2014.

Such a change will require amending the County Charter—a move that will require the favorable vote of five of the seven council members. Voters would then be asked to approve the change in the 2014 election.

Marks acknowledges getting council approval will be difficult.

"Clearly getting the five votes will be tough for a controversial issue like this," said Marks.