SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon is considering whether to sign legislation that would impose term limits on future county executives following a public hearing held Thursday at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center.
The legislation would limit county executives to three terms in office beginning with the 2030 election. Current officeholders would not be affected by the change until after 2030.
Only a handful of residents spoke during the hearing, but those who addressed county officials expressed support for the proposal.
“I was a county legislator for 14 years and I was always in favor of term limits, and at this point I see no reason why we shouldn’t have term limits for the county executive office as well as any other office in place,” said former county Legislator Lynda Irvin.
McMahon questioned the process used to advance the legislation.
“I think the way these laws were passed is problematic. The reality is the legislative branch did not consult with the executive branch before these laws,” McMahon said.
Supporters of the measure from the county legislature argued voters have already made their views clear.
“The public has already told us what they are going to say. They told us last November, they told us through that poll, and I think they will tell us again that they want term limits,” Majority Leader Nodesia Hernandez said.
Following the hearing, McMahon said he would take 24 hours to review the legislation before deciding whether to sign or veto the bill.
The Onondaga County Legislature is also expected to vote on a separate proposal establishing term limits for the county comptroller in July.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: McMahon weighs county executive term limits after public hearing
Adam Crooks: Yeah. Ryan McMahon held a public hearing today at the John Mulroy Civic Center to get the public’s voice on what they think of the county executive. Term limits. Term limits would prevent people from occupying the county executive office for more than three terms, starting with the 2030 election. Former county legislator Linda Ervin says she’s always been in favor of term limits for everyone.
Lynda Irvin: “And at this point, I see no reason not to have done this. But and executive’s office as well as another office.”
Crooks: Ryan McMahon’s issue was not with the limits, but with the proposal.
Ryan McMahon: “The way that these laws were passed. We’re all problematic. The reality is the legislative branch shouldn’t consult with the executive manager any of the laws.”
Crooks: Legislative Majority Leader Nodesia Hernandez hopes McMahon takes the public opinion into consideration.
Nodesia Hernandez: And the public already told us what they going to say, and they told us in last November. They told us to that poll. And I think they would tell us again that they want term limits.
Crooks: County Executive Ryan McMahon said after the meeting he’s going to take 24 hours before he decides what he’s going to do with the bill. From the John Mulroy Civic Center. Adam Crooks, NCC News.