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An ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, directing that a referendum question regarding the amendment of Article III, §5(b) of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County, which establishes term limits for certain independently elected County officials, be placed on the November 3, 2020 General Election ballot; and further amending Article 301 of the Administrative Code of Allegheny County, contingent upon the passage of the referendum question.
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Whereas, Article III, §5(b) of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County establishes that the Chief Executive of Allegheny County shall be limited to three consecutive terms of office; and
Whereas, this restriction is unique to the Chief Executive, and does not apply to any other elected official governed by the terms of the Home Rule Charter; and
Whereas, two of the foundational values justifying the change to home rule, as described in the preamble to the County's Home Rule Charter are diversity and inclusiveness: "[a] home rule government with a legislative County Council with Members elected by district and at large will represent the diversity of our County's citizens and provide better access to County government;" and
Whereas, these same themes were recently echoed during Council’s re-organization, and it is the judgment of Council that diversity and inclusiveness will both be fostered by establishing the same limit of three consecutive four year terms for members of Council that is already in place for the Chief Executive; and
Whereas, the importance of a vital and inclusive legislative branch is further demonstrated by the Charter preamble: "[a] home rule government that separates the legislative and executive functions previously vested solely in the Board of County Commissioners will provide checks and balances on the powers of government and protect the rights, privileges and powers reserved or guaranteed to the people by the Constitutions of the United St...
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