County Council
Term limits for county officials remain up for debate in government reform committee.
Allegheny County Council members, the sheriff, and other row officers have no term limits. On March 24, council amended a proposed November ballot question to give them the executive's limit of three straight terms. Two council members, however, want a public hearing before the final vote. The ordinance is back in committee for more discussion.
Written by Amy Whipple
The county executive might not be the only county office with limited terms after the November election.
Council approved an amendment to an ordinance introduced at its Jan. 27 meeting that would put the question of term limits on the general election ballot.
Currently, the county’s home rule charter limits the executive to three consecutive terms—totaling 12 years. It does not prohibit additional service after a break.
The amendment approved at the March 24 meeting adds the same limits to council members and the county row officers, who are the controller, district attorney, sheriff and treasurer. Currently, none of those positions carries term limits.
Council Member Nicholas Futules of Oakmont said that council did not consult row officers, nor was the amendment discussed in committee. (The ordinance was on the committee’s March 19 agenda, but minutes of the meeting have not been made public.)
Futules and Council Member John F. Palmiere of Baldwin Township said they wanted to call a public hearing ahead of council’s final vote on the ballot question.
“I find it irresponsible,” said Futules, who has been on council for 18 years. “When I’m ready to leave, I’m sure I will, or the people will vote me out. That’s a term limit.”
Council members, including Council Member Suzanne Filiaggi of Franklin Park, who were in favor of the bill pointed out the difficulty in securing funding and endorsements when someone is challenging an incumbent.
Filiaggi said, “[12 years] is the sweet spot between the institutional knowledge and then the motivation, innovation and energy that younger, newer people can provide any of these offices.”
If passed by voters, the “first term” for all elected officials besides the executive would begin in Jan. 2027, regardless of the number of terms served already.
The ordinance as amended returned to the government reform committee for further discussion.
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