McKinney City Council is asking voters to consider a proposition that would extend the terms of the mayor and city council members.
During a meeting on Aug. 6, 2024, the council voted 5-1 to place four city charter amendment propositions on the Nov. 5 ballot. Two of these propositions focus on extending term limits and increasing compensation for council positions.
Proposition A would extend the term limits for the mayor and city council members from two to three consecutive four-year terms, also allowing Mayor George Fuller to seek a third term in 2025.
Proposition B proposes a monthly salary of $750 for council members and $1,000 for the mayor, with regular cost-of-living adjustments. This new pay structure would apply to council members elected or re-elected in 2025 and beyond. Currently, council members are making $50 per meeting and the mayor receives a $100 monthly stipend.
However, not all residents approved of the propositions, citing that the changes are not in the best interest of residents. “Term limits exist for good reasons,” one speaker during the public comment section of the meeting said. “They ensure a regular influx of fresh ideas, prevent the entrenchment of power and maintain a healthy democratic process. By seeking to extend these limits, you risk undermining these crucial aspects of local governance.”
The city council started exploring a charter amendment election in January but decided to wait until after the May bond election. They then planned to consider adding the proposed items to the November ballot. In May, a 21-person citizen committee was formed to review four main aspects of the charter: term lengths, term limits, council compensation and the structure of council member districts.
The committee offered several recommendations, including retaining the current four-year term length for both city council members and the mayor. They also suggested preserving the existing requirement for a one-year service pause after completing two consecutive full terms in any council position, other than mayor, before holding another council role.
If approved, the change would take effect on Oct. 1, 2025, and would apply only to newly-elected council members. Current council members would not see any change in compensation unless they are re-elected.
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