VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Term limit on Onondaga County executive still undecided
Mikey Lamarre: Yeah I’m outside the Onondaga County Courthouse where the legislature’s Ways & Means Committe meeting just took place. The most pressing matter in this meeting was whether term limits should be imposed on the position of county executive, and board members are still undecided. As presently set, the county executive can be in office for as long they want. The meeting today was to decide whether to pass a term limit of three terms at four years each for a total of 12. Sponsored by legislator Nodesia Hernandez many fellow board members agree with proposal as well as residents.
Nathanial Slater: I kind of agree with it. Just to get like, new structure into the county, get a different eye set on it. I mean, think about it. If you have a county executive for 20 years, that that’s in office for 20 years or, say, ten years, right. They’re going to continue to run the same agenda and the same things. And sometimes I think the county needs a new look at things. On a political level, I think there should be some type of rotation there.
Lamarre: While there is mutual agreement across all parties one legislator feels it’s ok to take some time with the decision
Ken Bush: This isn’t regarding individuals we’re talking about positions we’re not talking about people that hold those positions at this point and I think that’s very important in my perspective there’s no need to rush it now we have plenty of time to get it on the ballot for the following year and let the people vote
Lamarre: The hesitation also stems from the county comptroller also being subjected to a term limit and board members want to vote on them at the same time. Although a date was not announced when the final decision will be made, if approved by legislators Ryan McMahon county executive will have to sign it before it goes to the general election. Live in Syracuse Mikey Lamarre NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Onondaga County legislators remain undecided on whether to impose term limits on the county executive position following discussion during a Ways and Means Committee meeting Tuesday.
The proposal, sponsored by Legislator Nodesia Hernandez, would limit the county executive to three four-year terms, totaling 12 years in office. Currently, there are no term limits for the position.
Several legislators and residents voiced support for the measure, arguing that new leadership could bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to county government.
“I kind of agree with it,” said Nathanial Slater, a Syracuse resident. “Sometimes I think the county needs a new look at things. On a political level, I think there should be some type of rotation there.”
Although there’s mutual agreement throughout all parties, Legislator Ken Bush believes there is no need to rush the decision.
“This isn’t regarding individuals,” Bush said. “We’re talking about positions. We’re not talking about people that hold those positions at this point…there’s no need to rush it now we have plenty of time to get it on the ballot for the following year and let the people vote.”
Legislators also expressed hesitation because the county comptroller position could face similar term limits, and some members want both proposals considered together.
No date has been announced for a final vote. If approved by the legislature, County Executive Ryan McMahon would need to sign the measure before it could appear on a general election ballot.