Public hearing set for discussion of term-length change for Town Board
A public hearing on term length will be held 6 pm Monday June 19, in Town Hall. Photo by Jason Benavides
May 16. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board will conduct a public hearing on Monday, June 19, to receive comments on changing elected officials’ term lengths from two years to four.
At the May 15 meeting, the commissioners unanimously agreed they wanted public input before proceeding.
Todd Sansbury
“I had brought this issue up a while back,” said Commissioner Todd Sansbury, “and statewide research indicates that four-year terms are more common.
“However, I really have no strong opinion either way, and I would like the public to weigh in on such a change.”
Right now, the mayor and Board of Commissioners are elected for two-year terms during non-partisan elections held in odd-numbered years. The town board elections are held in so-called off years, meaning a smaller number of voters usually turn out because there are no national contests on the ballot.
Pros and cons
Those who favor the two-year terms argue elected officials might remain more responsive to the majority opinion of the electorate.
Four-year term advocates believe the longer periods result in less staff work to bring new commissioners up to speed, as well as there being more experience among the commissioners when making big decisions like tax-rate changes.
Two decades ago the town enacted four-year terms, then soon went back to two-year terms.
The public hearing will take place 6 pm Monday June 19, in Town Hall on Catawba Avenue.
Other business
The commissioners approved the 2024 budget for ElectriCities, which will retain the same electric rates for all customers. ElectriCities serves the eastern portion of town.
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Interestingly per UNC SOG of 553 municipalities in NC, only 162 have boards that serve 2 year terms. The rest are 4 year or 4 year staggered.
Cornelius has dealt with this issue multiple times over the years.
Thank God that there were 2 year terms to get rid of some clueless commissioners who ran on self absorbed dead end agendas that were hyped up at the time and soon found out that the promise they made to get elected were far from achievable and only took up space on the board and offered no value to the community. I personally like two year terms as it keeps commissioners accountable for their campaign promises and on their toes! If the community voted in the wrong commissioners they can drain the swamp like the current board did and promised they would do. I am not saying the former board members were the swamp it is only an example to prove my point. Sold track records warrant re-election!
I have been a resident and property owner in the cornelius area for over 30 years
Happy Juneteenth
We need to keep the two year terms. These guys get elected then renege on their campaign promises. Like Art said above, it keeps them on their toes.
I will agree to four year terms if all of the Commissioners and Mayor have to be re-elected on the Presidential four year cycle. Otherwise leave it as it is.
I’m with Art as well. Do a great job, get re-elected. Stab folks in the back, you get voted out. The vote to change term limits should go to a public vote and not a vote by the elected representatives.
The proposal is to allow voters to determine length of service via a referendum. The only decision by the board would be to potentially move forward with a citizen referendum. Otherwise, the 2 yr terms stay in place.