Aldermen Reject Reducing Length of Terms

In a 5-2 vote, the Brentwood Board of Aldermen rejected a call for shorter aldermanic and mayoral terms.

Ward 3 Alderman Andrew Leahy introduced a bill that would have allowed Brentwood voters to approve reducing the terms from four to two years. Less than a year ago, . Leahy said the residents might have changed their minds, given the recent financial scandals in the city.

"I believe there's enough of a change in the City of Brentwood to send it back to the voters," said Leahy during a special meeting at the on Monday night.

Leahy previously opposed the term extensions.

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Ward 1 Alderman Anthony Harper was the lone supporter of Leahy's bill.

Ward 2 Alderman Lee Wynn said he opposed the bill because the voters had already approved the extensions.

Ward 4 Alderman Tom Kramer called the bill premature, and said residents simply wanted more information and more action — not shorter terms.

But Leahy called for shorter terms in the name of accountability. Right now, voters lack the ability to recall their elected officials from office. Shorter terms put those officials on the April ballots more often.

Fourth class cities like Brentwood previously only could allow two-year terms for elected officials. A change in state statute gave voters the opportunity to extend the terms, but the change failed to allow the opportunity for recall votes. 

Ward 1 Alderwoman Barb Clements said she would support any vote to allow recall elections, but opposed changing the mayoral and aldermanic terms again.