MUSKEGON, Mich. — Muskegon residents will vote on a proposed charter amendment establishing 12-year term limits for City Commission members in the November 4 general election.
WATCH: Muskegon voters to decide on 12-year term limits for city commissioners
The amendment, brought forward by the Muskegon Partnership for Reasonable Limits, received enough petition signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Hunter Colella, representing Muskegon Partnership for Reasonable Limits (MPRL), provided a statement to FOX 17. It reads: "Muskegon Partnership for Reasonable Limits is a grassroots organization that believes term limits are about accountability, opportunity, and giving voters more voice in their local government. Our ballot initiative ensures that diverse leadership and fresh ideas have a chance to shape Muskegon’s future. More than 2,000 Muskegon citizens have signed the petition for term limits, showing strong community support for giving voters a greater voice in local government.
Our term limits initiative is focused on establishing long-term checks and balances. It has never been about targeting any current or former city commissioner. We want to make it clear that we WILL NOT challenge any elected commissioner seeking to serve another term in the upcoming election.
While some interests may resist this change, the decision ultimately belongs to the people of Muskegon, and we encourage all voters to make their voices heard this November.”
City Manager Jonathan Seyferth explained the citizen-driven process behind the proposal.
"In this instance, there was a group of individuals who came together and created a charter amendment language for term limits here in the city of Muskegon," Seyferth said.
The ballot proposal states that "there are 6 former commissioners, one current commissioner, and the mayor who may be ineligible to serve if the charter amendment is enacted."
The term limits would apply to all commission members equally, including the mayor, according to Seyferth.
"The mayor is a member of the City Commission, and so therefore the term limits would apply equally to everyone, whether they were serving in the mayoral position or the City Commission position," Seyferth said.
According to Seyferth, term limits for city commissions are not uncommon in local government.
"It's a good way for citizens to get involved with government and kind of let us know things that they would like to see happen in the future, and kind of identify where citizens see challenges or problems that they would like to have solved," Seyferth said.
Seyferth encouraged all eligible voters to participate in the election.
"However you end up voting on it, the most important thing is that you vote," Seyferth said.
For more information on the proposed charter amendment, click here.
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